Jess Carter Exposes Racial Abuse Amid Women’s EURO 2025

England defender Jess Carter has bravely spoken out about experiencing racial abuse online during the ongoing Women’s European Championship. Despite her team’s successful journey to the semifinals, the 27-year-old has faced significant criticism following England’s opening match against France, which ended in a loss.

In a heartfelt post on Instagram, Carter detailed her distressing experience. “From the start of the tournament I have experienced a lot of racial abuse,” she wrote on Sunday. “Whilst I feel every fan is entitled to their opinion on performance and result, I don’t agree or think it’s ok to target someone’s appearance or race.” Her comments come as she prepares for England’s semifinal match against Italy on July 7, 2025, in Geneva.

Carter, who has represented England in 49 matches and currently plays for Gotham FC, announced her decision to take a break from social media. “As ever I am grateful for all of 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 anyway I can,” she added.

The Football Association (FA) has acted swiftly in response to Carter’s revelations. According to FA Chief Executive Mark Bullingham, the organization has contacted the police in the United Kingdom regarding the abuse. “Our priority is Jess and giving her all the support she needs,” he stated. “We strongly condemn those responsible for this disgusting racism.”

The FA confirmed that they are collaborating with UK police and relevant social media platforms to address the situation. Bullingham emphasized their commitment to ensuring that those who perpetrate such hate crimes are held accountable.

As the Lionesses prepare for their crucial match, the focus remains not only on their performance but also on the ongoing fight against racism within sports. The upcoming semifinal against Italy follows a dramatic victory for England against Sweden, where they triumphed in a tense penalty shootout.

Carter’s courageous stance against racial abuse highlights the need for greater awareness and action within the sporting community. As the tournament progresses, the support for her and the condemnation of racism continue to resonate among fans and officials alike.