logo
Jess Carter subjected to racist abuse on social media

Jess Carter subjected to racist abuse on social media

Times4 days ago
England's players will stop taking the knee before Euro 2025 matches after one squad member, Jess Carter, revealed she has suffered racial abuse on social media.
The FA has confirmed that the police and 'appropriate bodies' have been contacted over the alleged abuse, but did not say why they were not prepared to identify the platforms on which the alleged abuse took place.
The team have been going down to one knee before kick-off of their matches so far at the tournament, but after Carter's ordeal believe 'we and football need to find another way to tackle racism'. Carter and her team-mate, Lotte Wubben-Moy, have confirmed they will step back from social media.
'No one should have to endure such vile abuse, be that in football or any walk of life', a statement from the squad read. 'Representing our country is the greatest honour. It is not right that while we are doing that some of us are treated differently simply because of the colour of our skin.
'Until now, we have chosen to take the knee before matches. It is 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 [when England play their Euros semi-final against Italy].
'We hope the game can come together to see what more can be done. For now, we will return our total focus to an important semi-final.
'In the meantime, we know the FA are working with UK police and the appropriate bodies. Those behind this online poison must be held accountable.'
Taking the knee has become a familiar form of protest against racial injustice at sporting events. Colin Kaepernick, the NFL quarterback, is thought to be the first to perform the gesture in 2016. It became prominent in football in 2020 after the killing of George Floyd sparked widespread protests against racism.
Although Women's Super League teams have taken the knee before games for the past five years, in August 2022 the Premier League announced that players would stop doing so before every match and instead 'select significant moments' to kneel. The England players no longer believe the action is sufficiently combating racism.
Carter, whose performances at the Euros have received some criticism, revealed her ordeal in a social media post. 'From the start of the tournament I have experienced a lot of racial abuse,' she said. 'While I feel every fan is entitled to their opinion on performance and result I don't agree or think it's ok 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.
'As ever I am grateful for all of the support from the genuine fans but I am taking this measure to protect myself in a bid to keep my focus on helping the team anyway I can. Hopefully speaking out will make the people writing this abuse think twice so that others won't have to deal with it.
'We have made some historic changes with this Lionesses squad that I am so proud to be a part of and my hope is that by speaking out about this it will make another positive change for all. I'm now looking forward and focusing on putting all of my energy into helping my team.'
HARRIET LANDER – THE FA/THE FA VIA GETTY IMAGES
Mark Bullingham, the FA CEO, added: 'Our priority is Jess and giving her all the support she needs. 'We strongly condemn those responsible for this disgusting racism.
'As soon as we were made aware of the racist abuse Jess received, we immediately contacted UK police. They are in touch with the relevant social media platform, and we are working with police to ensure those responsible for this hate crime are brought to justice.'
The incident is far from unprecedented in football. Among the most infamous was the abuse towards Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka after they missed penalties in the Euro 2020 final against Italy.
'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,' Bullingham said.
'We will continue to discuss with the relevant authorities and social media companies about what more can and should be done to prevent this abhorrent abuse.'
Wubben-Moy, the England defender, also released a statement on Instagram.
'Another tournament goes by where we see the same disgusting racist abuse,' she posted. 'It is unacceptable for any person to be subject to this or any kind of abuse. The issue goes beyond sport. But what is being done about it? On the very platforms we post on? I will not continue to feed the very platform that enables abuse with no consequence.'
Uefa released a brief statement saying: 'We stand with Jess. Abuse and discrimination should never be tolerated, whether in football or society, in person or online.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Four jailed for 'sickening' machete and gun attack in Gorton
Four jailed for 'sickening' machete and gun attack in Gorton

BBC News

time7 minutes ago

  • BBC News

Four jailed for 'sickening' machete and gun attack in Gorton

Four attackers chased a 21-year-old man before he was hit with machetes and then shot as he tried to stand up, a court has Crown Court was told the unnamed 21-year-old was spotted in an alleyway by his attackers as they rode electric bikes along Hampden Crescent in Gorton on 7 October Manchester Police (GMP) said the victim, who managed to drag himself away despite having been struck repeatedly with the knives and then shot in the leg, suffered "horrific, life-changing injuries".The defendants - all convicted of attempted murder, possession of a bladed article and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life - were jailed for between 20 and 40 years. Members of the jury were told the defendants had spotted their victim in the the victim unsuccessfully tried to hide by crouching behind a parked van and a tree, his attackers got off their electric bikes and gave said Kellen Mongeme and Zak Morris, both 17 at the time, brandished machetes while 27-year-old Kavon Haselden-Hoyle held a said the victim then tried to jump over a garden fence but was grabbed and struck repeatedly with the machetes before falling to the ground. As he tried to get to his feet, Haselden-Hoyle opened shot hit one of the 21-year-old's legs but he managed to drag himself away as the group of attackers fled the scene. 'Lucky to be alive' Detectives, who gathered and pored through hundreds of hours of CCTV footage and phone records, established that the four had met at a house in Ardwick to plan the preparation for the shooting, they intentionally left their mobile phones behind and changed their clothing in a bid to conceal their after sentencing, Det Insp Louise Edwards said: "The extreme level of violence used in this attack was sickening."The attack was carried out in broad daylight and the victim was struck repeatedly with machetes and blasted with a shotgun."He has been left with extremely serious life-changing injuries, including the partial loss of his leg, and is lucky to be alive."The four perpetrators have shown no remorse throughout the investigation."The streets of Manchester are safer now that these men have been jailed."Following their five-week trial, Haselden-Hoyle of Beamish Close, Ardwick was jailed for 40 Forrester, 21 and of Greengage, Ardwick, was jailed for 26 now 18 and of Haymarket Street, Ardwick, was handed a 21-year prison Morris, 17 and of Silverlace Avenue, Openshaw, was detained for 20 years. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.

Two million pensioners in the UK are currently in poverty
Two million pensioners in the UK are currently in poverty

The Independent

time8 minutes ago

  • The Independent

Two million pensioners in the UK are currently in poverty

Work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall has warned of a potential 'tsunami of pensioner poverty' without major reform and indicated a possible increase in the state retirement age. The Commons Work and Pensions Committee has urged the government to establish a national strategy to combat pensioner poverty, including setting a minimum income for a dignified retirement. Age UK reports that two million pensioners are currently in poverty, a figure expected to rise, with the committee's report noting a significant increase in pensioner poverty since 2010. MPs are calling for improved take-up of pension credits, as an estimated 700,000 eligible households are missing out on up to £4,000 annually and other vital benefits. The report highlights long-term concerns such as people renting into later life and the strain poverty places on health and social care systems, while the government maintains support for pensioners is a priority.

Marcus Rashford:  Man Utd forward completes loan move to Barcelona
Marcus Rashford:  Man Utd forward completes loan move to Barcelona

BBC News

time9 minutes ago

  • BBC News

Marcus Rashford: Man Utd forward completes loan move to Barcelona

Barcelona have signed Marcus Rashford on loan from Manchester 27-year-old has joined on a deal until the end of next striker scored 138 goals for the Red Devils, but found himself left out of the team by manager Ruben a result, earlier this year he signed for Aston Villa on loan, making 10 appearances for the Midlands club. What's the latest? Talks between Barcelona and Manchester United moved quickly in the last week, with a deal agreed in general over the striker flew to the Spanish city on Sunday, and passed his medical with the club on deal will see him join Barcelona for the whole of next season, and includes an option for the Spanish side to buy the striker for £ for Barcelona has been Rashford's preferred option since he said in December he was ready for a new challenge, after being dropped by United's head coach Ruben at a press conference, the player said he felt "at home" at Barcelona, adding "It's a perfect fit for where I am in my career.""I am a believer that things happen when they should and maybe this is the right time. I am ready to give my all and that is the best you can do," he move will be Rashford's second back-to-back loan spell, after he spent six-months with Aston Villa in the second half of last is the first English player to sign for Barcelona since Gary Lineker in 1986. Rashford's career at United Having first joined Manchester United at the age of seven, Rashford's breakthrough came in 2016 against Danish club started the game and marked his debut with two goals - making him United's youngest ever scorer in European days later he scored two more goals on his Premier League debut against that season, United went on to win the FA Cup, with Rashford starting the the age of 18, Rashford now had his first winner's medal. He was also recognised with an individual award, winning United's Young Player of the then went on to become one of the team's his 20 years at Manchester United, Rashford made 426 appearances, scored 138 goals and won five trophies. Rashford's work away from the pitch Rashford made more headlines off the pitch than on it during successfully campaigned so that the government would make free food vouchers for children available for families during the summer said his own experience in childhood was the reason why he wanted to try to help people."It's not so much about my family anymore, because obviously the situation has changed. I just don't want people to go through the same things. It's important to understand where I came from and my background, and then it's quite simple really, the reason why I would try and help people that are in that situation," he said at the November 2021, Rashford was awarded an MBE by Prince William for his campaigning work.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store