
Gianni Infantino ‘deeply saddened' by racist abuse directed at Jess Carter
FIFA president Infantino wrote on Instagram: 'I am deeply saddened to see the online abuse directed at England's Jess Carter during the ongoing Women's EURO tournament. There is no place for racism in football or in society.
England defender Jess Carter says she has been the target of 'a lot of racial abuse' during Euro 2025 (Nick Potts/PA)
'We stand with Jess. We stand with every player and every individual who has suffered from racist abuse.
'No player should be discriminated against in any way, they should be free to be at their very best on the pitch.
'Through FIFA's Social Media Protection Service, we have helped tackle such abuse across multiple tournaments. We will continue to collaborate and support confederations, FIFA Member Associations and their players.
'In this instance, we will be offering our support with any further action required, as well as sharing data for appropriate action to be taken against any perpetrators.'
Football Association chief Mark Bullingham has confirmed his organisation has already referred the 'abhorrent' abuse to UK police, who are 'in touch with the relevant social media platform'.
Bullingham said the FA 'will continue to discuss with the relevant authorities and social media companies about what more can and should be done.'
Lucy Bronze said she was 'sad' for her England team-mate Carter ahead of the Lionesses semi-final against Italy in Geneva on Tuesday, and warned social media companies that football players can 'thrive' without their services.
'I think no player needs social media,' said Bronze. 'I think that's one thing that we can always remember, is that we play football because we love the sport.
'Someone like Jess, she's had an amazing tournament. I think she was one of our best players in the Netherlands game, for example, and she should be able to see messages and the fans and the support and live in that moment, because it's something you should be able to celebrate.'
Lucy Bronze issued a warning to social media companies after the online racist abuse suffered by her England team-mate Jess Carter at Euro 2025 (Nick Potts/PA)
The Lionesses have collectively agreed they will not be 'taking the knee' ahead of kick-off in Geneva, a symbolic anti-racism gesture that since 2016, when NFL player Colin Kaepernick kneeled during the Star Spangled Banner in protest, has become widespread practice across sport.
'Until now, we have chosen to take the knee before matches,' read a team statement.
'It's clear we and football need to find another way to tackle racism.
'We have agreed as a squad to remain standing before kick-off on Tuesday.'
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Daily Mirror
19 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Peter Kyle warns racists there's 'nowhere to hide' after Lioness Jess Carter faces vile abuse
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle has warned racists they have 'nowhere to hide on the internet' after England player Jess Carter faced a torrent of abuse online during the Euros Peter Kyle has warned racists they have "nowhere to hide on the internet' after England player Jess Carter faced a torrent of abuse online. The Technology Secretary told cowardly perpetrators to 'pipe down' until they're representing their country on the international stage, adding: 'At which point, maybe your voice will be worth a bit more.' He described Carter as a 'national hero' and said he was 'deeply regretful' she had faced sickening messages online. 'I'm deeply regretful she's had to experience this. It's an ugly facet of modern online life that some parts of social media incentivise the worst in people and society, not the best,' he said. Asked for his message to the abusers, Mr Kyle added: 'How about you just pipe down until you're representing England on the international stage? At which point, maybe your voice will be worth a bit more.' Over the weekend, Carter spoke out about the racial abuse she has received during the Lionesses' Euro 2025 campaign. Her teammates rallied around her, saying in a statement: "No one should have to endure such vile abuse." The team also confirmed it would ditch taking the knee before kick-off in their semi-final match against Italy today, as they said it is "clear" football needs another way to tackle racism. The FA confirmed it has contacted the police over the abuse, with officers now in touch with the relevant social media platform. Speaking to The Mirror on Monday, Mr Kyle said racism is illegal online, as it is offline, as race is a protected characteristic under the Equalities Act. But he admitted the Tories watering down the Online Safety Act hadn't helped the situation on the internet. He took aim at now-Conservative Leader Kemi Badenoch, who in 2022 warned against 'legislating for hurt feelings' in criticism of the proposed law. But Mr Kyle said police have the power to track down those who are racist online - often to the surprise of abusers when they receive a knock on the door from an officer. He said: 'Race is a protected characteristic under the Equalities Act. Racism is illegal online and offline. 'There is nowhere to hide on the internet. People think there is, but there's not. So if you think that you can keep quiet about your racism in the street but propagate it online, you are wrong and this department and this government expects racism to be tackled whenever and wherever it expresses itself.' He continued: 'Some people think that life online is consequence free and that's what we have to change. Platforms have to do better but there's a lot of human beings who need to do better as they're the ones generating this content." Elsewhere Reform UK Nigel Farage earlier suggested punishment for racism should be weakened. Asked by The Mirror whether racism on social media should be taken seriously, Mr Farage said: "Abuse on social media is rife... you can have my account for a day if you like." He continued: "Of course there's a limit to free speech, people should have their wrist slapped if they behave like that." Meanwhile Reform councillor Laila Cunningham, who joined Mr Farage at a press conference yesterday, said: "Once you're a public figure, once you speak out - whether you're public or not - it just comes with the game sadly. But it's not a crime."


Metro
21 minutes ago
- Metro
Sarina Wiegman drops hint on major Jess Carter decision and slams racist trolls
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BBC News
21 minutes ago
- BBC News
Euro 2025: Agent 'no idea' Hampton in conference when he rang
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