Anti-racism group questions England not taking knee
Lionesses have made 'powerful' decision
Meanwhile, Shaista Aziz, co-director of The Three Hijabis - an anti-racism campaign set up in response to racism against players in the men's Euros final in 2021 - said the Lionesses' decision was "powerful"."Taking the knee is a symbolic anti-racism act that was developed in the US and it has a very long legacy with the civil rights movement and everything else," Aziz told BBC Radio 5 Live."I think what the Lionesses are doing now is taking this to another level where they are saying that the symbolism has been hijacked by those who want to sow further division and keep going on about so-called 'woke' culture in relation to the knee being taken by footballers. They are taking it back and claiming the symbolism back by saying that it is not working. "This is what the Lionesses have said and I think that is also really powerful."
'Social media companies must do more'
UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer said: "There is no place for racism in football or anywhere in society."I stand with Jess, the Lionesses, and any players who have suffered racism, on and off the pitch."Last month, the PM told the BBC the government will explore whether further protective measures can be put in place on social media platforms.Sanjay Bhandari, chairman of anti-discrimination group Kick It Out, told Sky News "the social media companies need to do far more"."They've actually gone backwards over the last four or five years, not forwards. It's got worse on social media, not better," he said."And they need to provide us with the tools to help keep us safe and to remove some of this toxicity from the platforms. They're just not doing enough."The BBC have approached several major social media platforms for comment.
'Racial abuse on social media not new to women's football'
Emma Sanders, BBC Sport women's football news reporter
It has not been a smooth tournament for Carter, who has started every game in defence for England, switching from left-back to centre-back after a difficult experience in the opening-game defeat by France.England's defensive unit has been scrutinised for several months because of their inconsistency, and Carter also endured a tough time against Sweden in their quarter-final, which the Lionesses won on penalties after coming back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2.She was sent racist abuse on social media following that game, but it is not something new to women's football.During the 2023 Women's World Cup, forward Lauren James, now 23, suffered similar abuse when she was sent off for standing on the back of Nigeria forward Michelle Alozie in their last-16 victory.James' club Chelsea condemned further online abuse when she was again targeted following a Women's Super League (WSL) defeat by Arsenal in December 2023.The Lionesses have often aligned with each other in the face of such abuse, and it was a player-led decision for Carter, the FA and some of her team-mates to raise the matter again on Sunday.Carter's position in the team for Tuesday's semi-final against Italy was not assured, with Esme Morgan pushing for a start after a good performance in the win over Sweden.England manager Sarina Wiegman will have a decision to make on whether to protect Carter from further abuse, which has grown during the tournament.
Head here to get involved
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sky News
an hour ago
- Sky News
Thomas Partey: Ex-Arsenal player charged with rape to appear in court today
Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey is due to appear in court today, charged with raping two women. The 32-year-old, who was charged four days after leaving the north London club when his contract expired back in June, faces five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. He is accused of two counts of rape against one woman and three counts against another. The sexual assault allegation relates to a third woman, the Crown Prosecution Service has said. The alleged offences took place between 2021 and 2022. The Metropolitan Police said it first received reports of an allegation of rape in February 2022. Partey's lawyer Jenny Wiltshire has previously said the Ghanaian "denies all the charges against him" - and looks forward to the chance to "finally clear his name". Partey joined Arsenal from Spanish side Atletico Madrid in 2020 and became a regular for manager Mikel Arteta, who last month said he was "100% sure" the club followed the correct protocols. An Arsenal spokesperson previously said: "The player's contract ended on 30 June. Due to ongoing legal proceedings, the club is unable to comment on the case." Partey made 35 appearances for the Gunners last season, scoring four goals.
Times
an hour ago
- Times
Pumped galleries, rising rookies … only pundits let down Women's Open
Royal Porthcawl proved to be the perfect venue for the 25th edition of the AIG Women's Open as a major. Set on the stunning south Wales coastline, the R&A pulled off a hugely successful event, with a bumper attendance that totalled more than 47,000 and breaking records for broadcast audience share, digital reach and engagement. It was wonderful to meet overseas fans who had travelled to Wales to follow their favourite players and the entertainment provided for children was exceptional. After hosting the largest women's sporting event in Wales's history, Royal Porthcawl could be in line for more significant tournaments. Charley HullThe immensely popular Hull may have suffered another heartbreak by finishing second in a major for the fourth time, but such is her optimistic outlook on life you would not have known. Supported by huge galleries, who willed the Englishwoman to victory, she displayed grace, humour and searing honesty in equal measure after failing to chase down Miyu Yamashita. The 29-year-old's time will surely come. Japan's successIt took most people by surprise when Japanese players filled six of the top ten places after the first round. A solid junior programme and a thriving domestic tour have produced a succession of top players. Thirteen play on the LPGA, among them Yamashita, the diminutive rookie who delivered a links golf masterclass. Japan occupied three of the final top five slots. Mimi RhodesIn her rookie year on the Ladies European Tour, the 24-year-old from Somerset has stormed to three wins and after a decent finish of tied-19th, consolidated her position as the leading rookie. She engaged well with the crowds, impressing with her warm personality and easy smile. Rhodes will always be remembered for her hole in one at the par-three 5th in the final round, thanks to a fortunate nudge off her partner Steph Kyriacou's ball, which was sitting inches from the hole. Slow playThankfully, the scourge of the game failed to rear its head with players — unlike those at the Open at Royal Portrush, where rounds took up to six hours — taking well under five hours and even less at the weekend. The R&A issued official warnings as a group fell out of position and by the end of the third round had issued only one bad-time warning. Lottie WoadAfter all the hype surrounding her first major as a professional, and coming in as favourite, Woad faced a baptism of fire. The 21-year-old from Farnham, Surrey, dealt with it, using her customary composure, although by her high standards was probably disappointed with a tied-eighth finish. The crowds were privileged to witness the arrival of golf's rising star. Nelly KordaIt proved to be a dismal week for Nelly Korda, who has not won all season having collected six titles by May last year. Having reigned as the world No1 for 71 weeks, she has lost top billing to the talented young Thai Jeeno Thitikul. Korda was not the only one guilty of displaying a distracted air and a few more smiles would not go amiss. Scottish declineCatriona Matthew, who won the championship in 2009, once led a formidable array of Scottish players, among them Janice Moodie, Mhairi McKay, Dale Reid and Kathryn Imrie, but this year Gemma Dryburgh was the only one in the field and missed the cut. Louise Duncan showed huge promise as an amateur, but has struggled to break through on the Ladies European Tour. TV commentaryIt's infuriating to hear some, but not all, of the commentators constantly stating the obvious and describing what the viewers can see for themselves. Their job is to provide an insight into the difficulty of the shot, personal insights into the players or technical expertise. The adjective 'sensational' is overused, and we know it's a golf ball. Ball suffices.
The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
Ukraine war briefing: Netherlands to buy €500m of US arms for Kyiv in first for new Nato supply line
The Netherlands has said it will contribute €500m ($578m/£500m) to buy US military equipment for Ukraine, becoming the first Nato country to contribute to a new mechanism to supply Kyiv with American weapons. The Dutch defence minister, Ruben Brekelmans, said on X on Monday that the package would include Patriot parts and missiles. Nato's chief, Mark Rutte, welcomed the announcement and said he had encouraged other alliance members to participate in the new mechanism, called the Nato prioritised Ukraine requirements list (Purl) initiative. 'This is about getting Ukraine the equipment it urgently needs now to defend itself against Russian aggression,' Rutte – a former Dutch prime minister – said in a statement, adding that he expected 'further significant announcements from other allies soon'. President Donald Trump said last month the US would provide weapons to Ukraine, paid for by European allies, without providing details on how this would work. The US ambassador to Nato said he expected many more countries to announce over the coming weeks that they would participate. 'We're moving as fast as possible,' Matthew Whitaker told Reuters on Monday. Asked about a timeline for getting US deliveries to Ukraine under the new mechanism, he said: 'I think we'll see it moving very quickly, certainly in the coming weeks, but some even sooner than that. The Dutch are just the first of many.' Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the Netherlands' decision. 'Ukraine, and thus the whole of Europe, will be better protected from Russian terror,' the Ukrainian president said on X. 'I am sincerely grateful to the Netherlands for their substantial contribution to strengthening Ukraine's air shield.' Donald Trump's special envoy is expected in Moscow days before Donald Trump's deadline on Friday for Russia to make progress on ending the Ukraine war or face increased US sanctions, reports Shaun Walker. The US president said Steve Witkoff would visit Moscow on Wednesday or Thursday. When asked what message Witkoff would take to Russia and what Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, could do to avoid new sanctions, Trump: 'Get a deal where people stop getting killed.' Sources in Kyiv said they expected Keith Kellogg, Trump's Ukraine envoy, to visit the country towards the end of the week, possibly to coincide with Witkoff's visit to Moscow. Ukraine said on Monday it had charged six people, including a lawmaker and a government official, for embezzling funds in the purchase of drones and jamming equipment for the military. Anti-corruption authorities said on Saturday they had uncovered a scheme offering kickbacks for purchases at inflated prices and that it allegedly involved a legislator, one current and one now-sacked official, a National Guard commander and two businessmen. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau alleged the bribes totalled about 30% of the contracts' value and that the drone contract was worth $240,000, with an inflation of about $80,000. Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he had visited Ukrainian troops holding the line in the Kharkiv region bordering Russia and discussed how drones were used in fighting. 'Our warriors in this sector are reporting the participation of mercenaries from China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and African countries in the war,' the Ukrainian president said on a social media on Monday. 'We will respond.' Donald Trump said on Monday he would substantially raise tariffs on goods from India over its Russian oil purchases. 'India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil, they are then, for much of the Oil purchased, selling it on the Open Market for big profits. They don't care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine,' Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. 'Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA.' Trump earlier announced a 25% tariff on Indian goods starting last Friday, while New Delhi said it would safeguard its interests and called its targeting 'unjustified'. Russia's Ryazan oil refinery has halted around half its refining capacity since 2 August after a Ukrainian drone attack last week, three industry sources told Reuters. Two primary oil refining units at the Rosneft-operated refinery – about 180km south-east of Moscow – were stopped after the attacks, they said.
