Jess Carter Opens Up About Racist Abuse During England's Euro 2025 Campaign
England defender Jess Carter has revealed the profound personal impact of online racist abuse during the Lionesses' victorious Euro 2025 campaign, disclosing that the vile attacks left her feeling unsafe and reluctant to leave her hotel room.
Tournament Triumph Overshadowed by Abuse
The 28-year-old footballer played a crucial role in Sarina Wiegman's side retaining their European title in Switzerland last summer, but her achievement was marred by a torrent of racist abuse directed at her through social media platforms. Carter has described how the experience significantly affected her confidence both on and off the pitch during the tournament.
Carter told the BBC: "It was the first time where I lacked in confidence on the pitch. I didn't want to leave the hotel in case the people who were saying those things were going to be in Switzerland with us."
She continued: "It was quite a scary time and it was just really sad. It kind of totally devalues you as a human being. I do not mind if people don't like the way I play football, everyone is entitled to their opinion. But when you start attacking them as human beings and [for] what they look like, it's a really sad thing to do."
Legal Proceedings and Wider Impact
Carter's comments follow recent legal action against a 60-year-old man who pleaded guilty to sending abusive posts referencing her race and making inflammatory suggestions about people with brown skin to her TikTok account during the tournament. The case highlights the serious nature of online abuse faced by high-profile athletes.
The defender expressed concern about the growing problem, noting: "A lot of the players, specifically with the Lionesses, the profiles are getting huge now and every player should feel comfortable walking along the street and being whoever they want to be, and it's getting to a place where I think a lot of people don't feel that comfort any more."
Call for Action and Personal Responsibility
Carter has called for social media companies and police forces to work more closely together to address the issue of online abuse, emphasising the need for better protection mechanisms for public figures and ordinary citizens alike.
She explained her decision to speak out: "I felt a sense of responsibility to speak up, not only for myself, but just for anybody else that's facing that kind of abuse. We want great rivalries, but the abuse, for me, doesn't need to come with it."
The professional footballer, who left Women's Super League side Chelsea with five league titles to join Gotham FC in the United States during summer 2024, has stepped back from social media platforms following the abusive incidents. Her experience underscores the ongoing challenges facing athletes in the digital age, where personal abuse can overshadow professional achievements.
