Carter feared racist abuse for James after penalty miss in Euros shootout
England overcame a two-goal deficit to force penalties in Zurich, eventually triumphing 3-2 in a dramatic shootout that featured 14 attempts.
Sweden goalkeeper Jennifer Falk saved four England penalties, including James' second effort. Beth Mead, Alex Greenwood and Grace Clinton, who are all white, also missed their spot-kicks for England.
"It's horrible to say but it's almost like a sigh of relief when other players that weren't black missed a penalty, because the racism that would have come with LJ (James) being the only one that missed would have been astronomical," Carter told ITN on Monday.
"It's not because we want them to fail — it's about knowing how it's going to be for us (England's black players) if we miss."
Carter said in July that she had been the target of online racist abuse since Euro 2025 began in Switzerland and announced that she is stepping away from social media for the duration of the tournament.
"It makes you feel really small. It makes you feel like you're not important, that you're not valuable," the 27-year-old said about the impact the abuse had on her.
"It makes you second guess everything that you do — it's not a nice place to be. It doesn't make me feel confident going back on to the pitch. My family was so devastated by it as well and so sad."
England, who traditionally take a knee before matches as a gesture against racism, opted not to do so ahead of their semi-final against Italy following Carter's revelations about the abuse she faced.
She also admitted to feeling fear when England manager Sarina Wiegman informed her she would be playing in the final against Spain, which England won 3-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
"That's the first time I've ever been scared — too scared to play," Carter said.
"I think it was a mixture of such a big game, but then on top of that (I was) scared of whatever abuse might come with it, whether it's football based or whether it was going to be the racial abuse that was going to come with it because I did something wrong."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
34 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Jordan warns All Blacks must match Argentina intensity
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Autumn International - England v New Zealand - Allianz Stadium Twickenham, London, Britain - November 2, 2024 New Zealand's Will Jordan celebrates scoring their second try Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs/File Photo New Zealand fullback Will Jordan says the All Blacks must be ready to match Argentina's physicality and passion when the sides meet on Saturday in the opening round of the Rugby Championship in Cordoba. The All Blacks are looking to avoid a fourth Rugby Championship loss to the Pumas in five years, having dropped home matches in 2022 and 2024 following a defeat in Australia in 2020. Try-scoring machine Jordan said the All Blacks squad had built strong combinations in camp but would need to start fast to quell Argentina's early momentum. "We know the first 20 (minutes) is going to be important,' Jordan told reporters in Cordoba. 'They've come hard at our breakdown in the past and they'll be confident again. If they play their best, they'll back themselves to beat us.' Jordan highlighted Argentina's aerial threat as a key area of concern, while praising their high-tempo style and classy backline which will be strengthened by the return of players who missed their England series defeat. "They've got a huge amount of energy, extremely skillful players across the backs, and real physicality up front,' he said. The 27-year-old heads into the Cordoba opener in typically prolific form, having scored four tries in the 3-0 series whitewash of France in July. That brought his career try tally to 42, an amazing strike-rate from 44 tests. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia India, Singapore ministers discuss deeper tie-ups in digitalisation, skills, industrial parks Business More seniors remain employed after retirement and re-employment ages raised in 2022: MOM study Singapore To Vers or not to Vers: How will this scheme affect HDB prices? Asia Malaysia's ex-economy minister says his son was jabbed with syringe in planned attack Singapore askST: Will assets seized in $3b money laundering case be sold at public auctions? Singapore Woman, 68, charged over assaulting maid with scissors and nail clipper Business StarHub first-half profit falls 41.7% to $47.9m; telco eyes 'more aggressive stance' amid competition Singapore From quiet introvert to self-confident student: How this vulnerable, shy teen gets help to develop and discover her strength He will likely be joined by wingers Sevu Reece and Rieko Ioane in a fast and powerful starting back three. The All Blacks warmed up for Argentina's passionate crowds by watching a local soccer game between Boca Juniors and Racing Club at Boca's iconic home stadium La Bombonera (The "Chocolate Box") in Buenos Aires. Jordan found the fans' singing and chanting throughout an eye-opener and hoped for similar against the Pumas. "It's my first time ever in Argentina, and first time at a soccer match. So it's pretty impressive (and) cool to experience. I'm sure there will be something similar come Saturday." REUTERS
CNA
34 minutes ago
- CNA
Hunt for new Lions head coach down to 5 names, including ex-Tottenham Hotspur assistant coach
SINGAPORE: The hunt for a new national football head coach has intensified, with the shortlist down from 10 names a week ago to five now, CNA understands. A few candidates – including former Tottenham Hotspur assistant coach Nick Montgomery – are in Singapore for interviews to snag the top job, after Japanese tactician Tsutomu Ogura resigned on Jun 24 due to personal reasons. His exit left Singapore looking for its fourth national coach in six years. Assistant coach Gavin Lee has stepped in to lead the Lions as caretaker in the meantime. While the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) has kept its final candidates under wraps, Montgomery and a mystery Spaniard are among those who have been spotted in town for talks. Montgomery left the English Premier League side in June after a year there, where he won the Europa League. He was previously head coach of Scottish Premiership club Hibernian and Australian A-League side Central Coast Mariners. The 43-year-old spent most of his playing career at Sheffield United. NO MAJOR TROPHIES SINCE 2012 The incoming coach will face high expectations from the new FAS Council, led by billionaire Forrest Li who was elected president in April. Li, who founded tech giant Sea, also owns Singapore Premier League (SPL) club Lion City Sailors. He told reporters last week he hopes that with success on the field, more people will follow local football and that interest will grow. Singapore are currently 159th in the world rankings. "We have the best city planning, the best airport, best highways. A lot of things are world-class – why not football?" Li said. Ogura left Singapore at the top of their third-round Asian Cup qualifying group, with four points after their first two matches and four games left. Finishing top means qualifying for Asia's premier competition for the first time ever on merit. The Lions have not secured a major trophy in more than a decade since winning Southeast Asia's football championship, the AFF Championship, in 2012. Observers said a new coach needs to be hired soon in order to build relationships with the players and understand the local football environment. Football pundit and commentator Rhysh Roshan Rai said Ogura had 'brought a lot more belief' into the Lions, who now have clearer ideas about the team. 'They want to try and dominate teams … They want to go out and play, and they want to show that they have courage on the ball, so I think all these things are really encouraging and you would like to see this continue,' added the former Singapore Armed Forces FC midfielder. 'I don't think it'll be a good idea to get someone who's going to basically rip up all the tactics and come in with his own ideas, own approach. Because at the international level, you don't have much time to work with these players.' Rai noted that the new coach will also have to consider if Lions are getting enough playing minutes in the SPL, which recently raised the number of foreign players to seven per match. 'We're seeing SPL clubs, for example, signing foreign goalkeepers, and so that's going to be a key area as well. We already don't have a great goalkeeping situation in Singapore,' he added. Ogura had left his role with some advice for Singapore football. 'Singapore must look for its own way, not chase another country, or chase another way of how to do things,' he said. 'Always keep confidence. Keep trust to our players, then our staff, then I think for Singapore a new history is coming.'
CNA
5 hours ago
- CNA
Luis Enrique applauds keeper Chevalier after dream PSG debut
Lucas Chevalier impressed on his debut as Paris St Germain's new first-choice goalkeeper on Wednesday in their Super Cup victory over Tottenham Hotspur, drawing praise from manager Luis Enrique. The 23-year-old former Lille keeper was thrust into the spotlight after Luis Enrique made it clear earlier this week that Gianluigi Donnarumma had been axed from the squad, prompting the Italian international to begin searching for a new club. Chevalier, who arrived at the club on Sunday, earned praise from teammates and fans alike after making several acrobatic saves, including Micky van de Ven's attempt during the penalty shootout. "We relied on Lucas ... he just arrived, but it was time for him to show off. We're very happy because he made it," Luis Enrique told reporters after PSG beat Tottenham 4-3 on penalties. "This is PSG, you have to know how to handle the pressure, Lucas is a top-class goalkeeper, he's capable of it. He did his job, welcome to him with a trophy." Luis Enrique admitted that the publicity surrounding Donnarumma was far from ideal for the club. "Everyone was talking about the situation; his (Lucas's position) wasn't easy, but he showed great character," Luis Enrique added. "It's a bit of a script: he comes in and saves a penalty. It's a good start for him, we're happy," teammate Ousmane Dembele said. PSG will start their Ligue 1 campaign at Nantes on Sunday.
