Latest news with #racistabuse
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Jess Carter reveals she was 'scared to play' in England's triumphant Euro 2025 final after suffering racial abuse on social media
England defender Jess Carter has revealed that she was scared to play in the Euro 2025 final having been subjected to racist abuse earlier in the tournament. Carter, 27, suffered the abuse in the aftermath of the Lionesses' quarter-final victory over Sweden. However, she was part of manager Sarina Wiegman's starting line-up for the final on Sunday night, which saw them beat Spain in a dramatic penalty shootout to lift a second consecutive European Championship and avenge their World Cup defeat from two years earlier against the same opponents. After celebrating victory with her team-mates, Carter revealed her nerves heading into the match - as she ended up part of a team that created footballing history. She said: 'I was super scared of playing the final for the first time in my life. 'When I woke up in the morning and saw my team and saw the support I had - and the belief I had from my team-mates, manager and family - I could come out and give my all. That's all you can do. 'It's incredible, the fans have been incredible all tournament and we couldn't have done this without them. 'We're so grateful for them and this moment. Giving up is not in our DNA. We have stuck together from minute one. I couldn't be prouder of this team and I'm so honoured to be proud of it. 'I'm more disappointed in my previous performances than anyone else.' It comes after Carter's team-mate Lucy Bronze called on social media companies to take action over online trolls after Carter was racially abused. Carter said she had received a 'lot' of online hate after the game and announced that she was stepping away from social media. Full back Bronze, 33, subsequently launched a fiery condemnation of the vile comments aimed at Carter and revealed abuse has been on the rise in the women's game as it has grown in popularity. 'We all know that any player of colour who's played for England has probably gone through racist abuse. That's a sad fact in this day and age,' said Bronze. '(We're feeling) anger and sadness that our team-mate has gone through this. We don't want it to happen. We want to be focused on the football. England's players unanimously decided not to take the knee before their semi-final against Italy, saying it is time to find a new way to tackle racism 'We want Jess and anybody else who puts on an England shirt to be brave, to be happy when they play for England.' Carter, 27, had posted on Instagram: 'From the start of this tournament, I have experienced a lot of racial abuse. Whilst I feel every fan is entitled to their opinion on performances and results, I don't think it's OK to target someone's appearance or race. 'I am grateful for all the support from the genuine fans, but I am taking this measure to protect myself in a bid to keep my focus on helping the team any way I can. 'Hopefully speaking out will make the people writing this abuse think twice, (and) others won't have to deal with it.' Women's football has experienced a boom in popularity in recent years but, as Bronze made clear, that growth has brought serious challenges. 'The bigger the game gets, the bigger the noise becomes, the more fans there are, the more critics there are,' said the Chelsea defender. ' We're obviously open to critics, that's why we love the sport, but we're not open to abuse. The FA contacted UK police after hearing of the racist abuse Carter had been subjected to 'The bigger the sport's got, it seems to be that more abuse has come as well and especially in women's football, the online abuse seems to be getting worse and worse. 'We see it more in the stadiums in men's football, as well as online, but with women's football there seems to be a real target online. People need to be held accountable.'
The Independent
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Jess Carter admits she was ‘scared' to play Euro 2025 final after racist abuse
England defender Jess Carter admitted she was 'scared' to play in the Euro 2025 final after suffering racist abuse during the tournament as she thanked her teammates for their support. Carter returned to Sarina Wiegman 's starting line-up for the final against Spain and was the only change the England manager decided to make before the Euro 2025 final in Basel. The 27-year-old Carter revealed after England's quarter-final win over Sweden that she had received racist abuse on social media throughout the tournament. She dropped to the bench for the semi-final against Italy, even though Wiegman said Carter was ready to play if needed, but she returned to start the final against Spain. And while Carter was excellent alongside Leah Williamson in defence, as the Lionesses won their second major trophy, Carter revealed she had been apprehensive to play in the final. Carter told ITV: "I was super scared to play today for the first time in my life, but when I woke up and I saw my team, and the support I had and the belief I had from my team-mates, my family and my manager. I knew I could just come out and give it my all. That's all you can do." Carter thanked the support she had received from the England fans and said it gave her the 'courage' to play after suffering racist abuse during the tournament. 'The support I felt from the fans was incredible,' Carter explained. 'I can't thank them enough because without the fans, my team-mates and my family, I don't know if I'd have every had the courage to back on the pitch and play again. 'I'm not normally someone who struggles with the hate they received because everyone is going to have their opinion. But this tournament has been tough and I wasn't sure I'd be able to get back on the pitch and do me. "Everyone of those fans, I'm not ever going to be able to show my thanks enough, but they have been incredible, and I hope they will continue to cheer on the Lionesses every single day." England manager Wiegman explained that starting Carter over Esme Morgan, who had also impressed during the semi-final win over Italy, was a tactical decision but said she had 'belief' in Carter to deliver the performance required. 'Well, first of all, it says something about the team that we can make tactical decision,' Wiegman said. 'I've said a couple of times now that I was really happy, before the tournament, with my squad, and that we had players in the same position that can bring different things, and that was true with Esme and Jess. 'Italy was a different game than Spain and we felt we needed Jess now in the starting line-up, exactly for the reasons that you said, the fight and the duels, she can play, and she showed of course that she is a great personality. 'She was ready to perform, also against Italy, but that was a tactical decision and now we've made a tactical decision. I had all the belief in her and she had the belief in herself, that's the most important thing, that she could contribute to the team and you can tell that the team trusted her too.'
Al Arabiya
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Al Arabiya
Euro 2025: England Defender Jess Carter Not In Starting Lineup To Face Italy In Semifinals
England defender Jess Carter was not in the starting lineup to face Italy in the semifinals Tuesday at the Womens European Championship. Esme Morgan, who plays for Washington Spirit in the United States, was selected to partner England captain Leah Williamson in the center of defense. Carter revealed on Sunday she has been the target of racist abuse online during the tournament and the English soccer federation reported the abuse to police at home. Carter, who is Black, had started in all four of England's games so far at Euro 2025 and she was praised by coach Sarina Wiegman on the eve of the game for being ready to play. 'The decision is based on the tactical challenges we have and we think that in this game it is best to put Esme in,' Wiegman told ITV on Tuesday. 'Jess is good. Of course a lot of things going on but she's good, she trained well, she is ready to compete and ready to play.'
The Independent
22-07-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Tuesday's briefing: Carter unstoppable as Lionesses target a place in final
Jess Carter is set to play for England in their European Championship semi-final against Italy despite being the target of online racist abuse during the tournament. England coach Sarina Wiegman is expecting to be able to pick from a full-strength squad, with Leah Williamson shrugging off an injury she sustained in the quarter-final penalty shoot-out defeat of Sweden. Manchester United and Liverpool have been splashing the cash ahead of the new Premier League season, while Rangers are also looking to make a statement in the qualifying rounds of the Champions League. England at full strength for Italy showdown Sarina Wiegman has suggested captain Leah Williamson will be fit for England's Euro 2025 semi-final against Italy and said Jess Carter is 'ready to perform' after the defender revealed she had been the target of racist abuse. There were concerns about centre-back Williamson's fitness after she rolled her ankle in extra time of Thursday's dramatic last-eight shoot-out victory over Sweden, but the Arsenal defender – alongside every other member of the squad – trained with the team on Monday morning. Carter, in a statement shared to her accounts on several platforms on Sunday, said she would be 'taking a step back' from social media, while Football Association CEO Mark Bullingham confirmed his organisation has involved UK police. Asked if she expected to have a full complement available for the semi in Geneva, England boss Wiegman said: 'That's what it looks like, yeah.' Meanwhile FIFA chief Gianni Infantino says he is 'deeply saddened' by racist abuse directed at Carter and promised FIFA will share data with the relevant authorities to identify the culprits. FIFA president Infantino wrote on Instagram: 'I am deeply saddened to see the online abuse directed at England's Jess Carter during the ongoing Women's EURO tournament. There is no place for racism in football or in society.' Mbeumo finally completes United move Manchester United have completed the long-awaited signing of Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo for a fee rising to £71million. Nearly seven weeks after seeing their first offer rebuffed, the Red Devils finally have their man and the 25-year-old has signed a deal until 2030 with the option of a further year. Mbeumo leaves Brentford for an initial £65m fee that PA understands could rise by a further £6m should certain add-on clauses related to team and player be achieved. 'As soon as I knew there was a chance to join Manchester United, I had to take the opportunity to sign for the club of my dreams; the team whose shirt I wore growing up,' the Cameroon international said. Ekitike heading to Liverpool Liverpool have struck a deal with Eintracht Frankfurt worth up to £79million for striker Hugo Ekitike, the PA news agency understands. The talented 23-year-old scored 22 goals in all competitions for the Bundesliga club after last summer making his loan move from Paris St Germain permanent. Newcastle and Manchester United have been among the interested parties but Premier League champions Liverpool look set to sign Ekitike. The PA news agency understands the Reds have agreed to pay a guaranteed £69m to sign the France Under-21 international, with a further £10m possible in add-ons. The player has been given permission to travel to Merseyside to complete the deal. Ekitike is set to arrive on Tuesday for his medical and to complete what is expected to be a deal until 2031. Martin believes Rangers are ready to shine Russell Martin believes Rangers will 'take some stopping' if they can harness an energy and connection between players, supporters and everyone else associated with the club. The Ibrox head coach is determined to ensure that process takes shape in his first match in charge against Panathinaikos on Tuesday. Rangers take on the Greek side in the first leg of the Champions League second qualifying round at Ibrox and Martin hopes fans can quickly see the dominant, intense, aggressive team that forms his vision for his reign. The former MK Dons, Swansea and Southampton manager said: 'Every day I wake up and I'm honoured to be in this position. I feel extremely grateful for it. I'm excited by it and I will give it absolutely everything I've got. We all will.' What's on today The big night has finally arrived for England women who face Italy in the European Championship semi-final in Geneva. Rangers take on Panathinaikos in Champions League qualifying while there is a full programme of Premier Sports Cup games, including Dundee's trip to non-league Bonnyrigg Rose.
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ofcom warned toxic abuse threatens female sport
The head of Sport England has written to Ofcom, the communications industry regulator, to express its "deep concern regarding the recent wave of racist and sexist abuse" directed at England's women's football team on social media. Chris Boardman, the chairman of the community sport funding agency, said "the toxic culture that persists online threatens to undermine" efforts to increase rates of female participation. Lionesses defender Jess Carter has revealed she has been targeted with online racist abuse throughout the tournament. In a letter seen by BBC Sport, Boardman warned: "This behaviour is abhorrent and unacceptable in any context, but it is especially disheartening given the progress we have made in championing women and girls in sport. "Through Sport England and National Lottery investment, we have committed hundreds of millions of pounds to increase participation, visibility and opportunity for women and girls in sport." In October 2023, the Online Safety Act became law, ensuring social media platforms have a duty to protect users from content such as racism, with Ofcom responsible for enforcing the legislation, and developing codes of practice to guide tech companies. However, some anti-racism campaigners believe there needs to be more urgency. "The Online Safety Act 2023 provides a framework to address illegal and harmful content, including hate speech and misogynistic abuse," wrote Boardman. "We are particularly interested in how the new codes can be used to address the kind of targeted abuse we are seeing. We understand that Ofcom has also issued draft guidance on improving online safety for women and girls, and we would welcome the opportunity to discuss how these measures can be strengthened and enforced. "For too long, internet trolls have been given free rein by the big tech companies to spread bile and misery, and this cannot be allowed to continue. "Could you please advise what further steps can be taken within the current regulatory framework to tackle misogyny and racism online?" Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy told BBC Sport that social media companies and Ofcom "need to do more". "I think the act will continue to be tested every time a problem surfaces and it's incumbent on those such as Ofcom and social media platforms to be proactive in rooting this out," she said. "We brought in the Online Harms Act this year to make sure there are sanctions for companies that don't take this content down and we are doing a lot of work in schools to educate young people about the impact of online abuse but it's incumbent on all of us to call this out. "It's absolutely disgraceful what [Jess Carter] has had to put up with and we are completely behind her and the Lionesses." Ofcom has been approached for comment. Taking the knee 'not good enough' - Wiegman More abuse as women's football grows - Bronze 'The abuse never stops' - Lionesses to avoid social media
