England defender Jess Carter has revealed she was subjected to racist abuse on social media during the UEFA Women's European Championship, prompting her to step away from her accounts. She received support from head coach Sarina Wiegman, teammates, and the Football Association, which swiftly engaged UK police and collaborated with social media companies.
The incident highlights a broader issue in women's football, which remains vulnerable to online discrimination despite on-pitch success. Paul Elliott, former Premier League captain and Uefa human rights board member, noted the shift from face-to-face racism to digital attacks. The Online Safety Act, enacted in October 2023, imposes a duty on platforms to protect users.
Similar abuse targeted Manchester City striker Khadija Shaw in February, drawing condemnation from her club and fans. Elliott emphasised the need for zero tolerance, citing statistics from the Black Footballers' Partnership: Black players account for 43% of Premier League and 34% of EFL squads, yet only 4.4% of coaches and 1.6% of administrators reflect that diversity.
The Football Governance Act, which received royal assent this week, establishes an independent regulator for football. Elliott argued that equality and inclusion must be embedded in governance frameworks, and that anti-racism education should be part of the national curriculum. Professional clubs' charitable arms already challenge discrimination, but stronger accountability is essential.
