England contact police after defender Jess Carter targeted with racist abuse on social media during Euro 2025
Updated 20/07/2025 at 20:00 GMT+1
Jess Carter said she will take a step back from social media after experiencing "a lot of racial abuse" during Euro 2025. Her fellow defender, Lotte Wubben-Moy, has also withdrawn from social media. England condemned the "vile abuse" and said they will now stop taking the knee, while the FA confirmed it had contacted UK police and was in touch with the relevant social media platform.
‘Anger and sadness’ - Bronze reacts to racial abuse of Carter
Video credit: SNTV
England defender Jess Carter has said she will take a step back from social media after receiving "a lot of racial abuse" during Euro 2025.
The Lionesses issued a statement condemning the "vile abuse" and said the team will now stop the anti-racism stance of taking a knee before games, saying: "It's clear we and football need to find another way to tackle racism".
Carter said: "From the start of the tournament, I have experienced a lot of racial abuse.
"While I feel every fan is entitled to their opinion on performance and result, I don't agree or think it's okay to target someone's appearance or race.
"As a result of this, I will be taking a step back from social media and leaving it to a team to deal with."
Carter, 27, now plays club football with Gotham FC in the NWSL, having previously been with Birmingham City and Chelsea.
The defender was in the England squad who won Euro 2022, and played 70 minutes in Thursday's dramatic quarter-final against Sweden, which Sarina Wiegman's team won on penalties.
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Jess Carter in action for England during their Euro 2025 quarter-final against Sweden
Image credit: Getty Images
Gotham City released a statement in support of Carter, saying: "We are heartbroken and outraged by the racist abuse directed at Jess Carter.
"Jess is not only a world-class football player - she is a role model, a leader and a valued part of our Gotham FC family.
"At Gotham, we believe in a culture of mutual respect and remain committed to building a game - and a community - where everyone feels safe, respected and celebrated.
"There is no place for racism in our sport. We stand with Jess, and we deeply appreciate the support for Jess from the Lionesses and England’s Football Association as they compete at the UEFA Women’s Championship."
Carter's fellow defender Lotte Wubben-Moy has also withdrawn from social media, saying: "Another tournament goes by where we see the same disgusting racist abuse.
"It's unacceptable for any person to be subject to this or any kind of abuse.
"This issue goes beyond sport. But what is being done about it? In society? On the very platforms we post on? I will not continue to feed the very platforms that enable this abuse with no consequence."
Mark Bullingham, the chief executive officer of the FA, said in a statement that the governing body had contacted UK police, and "they are in touch with the relevant social media platform".
"We are working with police to ensure those responsible for this hate crime are brought to justice," the statement added.
"Regrettably, this is not the first time this has happened to an England player, so we had measures in place to allow us to respond quickly and, where possible, provide information to support any potential police action."
England face Italy in the semi-finals on Tuesday.
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