England players have condemned a wave of racist messages aimed at defender Jess Carter during the European Championship in Switzerland, branding the attacks ‘online poison.’ The 27-year-old said she has endured sustained racial abuse since the tournament began and will step back from personal social media accounts while a support team monitors them to protect her wellbeing.
Carter’s performances a shift from left-back to centre-back after the opening defeat to France, then a difficult outing in the quarter-final shoot-out victory over Sweden on 17 July were followed by targeted slurs about her appearance and race, she said. She also reminded supporters she was outstanding in England’s 4-0 group win over the Netherlands and stressed her focus remains on helping the team reach the final.
In a collective statement, the Lionesses said representing the country is an honour but no one should be treated differently because of skin colour. Believing that pre-match kneeling no longer delivers sufficient impact, the squad will stand before kick-off in the semi-final against Italy on Tuesday, 22 July 2025, while they explore fresh, more forceful anti-racism actions that might drive real change.
Several teammates have rallied publicly. Lotte Wubben-Moy is also leaving social media in protest at platforms that fail to curb abuse. Lucy Bronze described robust internal discussions that led players to question whether the knee still lands a powerful message; the decision to stand is intended not as retreat but to spark renewed urgency, she said.
The national federation’s chief executive said police and the relevant platform have been contacted to identify offenders. Existing incident-response protocols, developed after previous cases of racist targeting of England players, enabled a rapid referral and potential legal follow-up. Anti-discrimination group Kick It Out backed Carter’s decision to prioritise mental health and called for stronger tech accountability.
Political and club leaders added support. The UK prime minister said racism has no place in football or society. Carter’s club side, Gotham FC, called her a valued leader and reaffirmed its commitment to an inclusive environment. Supporters’ groups are urging fans to report racist posts, screenshot evidence and amplify positive messages for the squad. Carter said the Lionesses have already driven historic change and hopes speaking out now can be another step forward. Her immediate priority remains competing for a continental title while pushing for meaningful, lasting reform beyond the pitch.
