Latest news with #GothamFC
Daily Mirror
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Jess Carter's defiant racism message after starring in England's Euro 2025 win
Jess Carter, who plays for Gotham FC in New York, has received racial abuse during the Lionesses' Euro 2025 campaign, and is taking time off social media as a result England's Jess Carter says the support of fans in the blockbuster Euro 2025 semi-final "meant everything" after being racially abused. The 27-year-old defender stressed she wouldn't have had the confidence to play in the 2-1 victory without the encouragement of supporters at the Stade de Geneve. They chanted her name throughout the match and applauded in the 16th minute in reference to her squad number. And Carter came on as a substitute in extra time as the defending champions held out for a comeback victory against Andrea Soncin's stubborn side. Speaking after the jaw-dropping tie, Carter said: "It meant everything... Without that I wouldn't have felt the confidence to come out on to the pitch, whether for the last three minutes or not." The defender, who plays for Gotham FC in New York, thanked fans and her teammates, who stuck to their words and refused to take the knee ahead of the clash. The players made the collective decision as they "want more action to be made" in the fight against racism. England book place in Euro 2025 final after incredible fightback against Italy Carter, who used to play for Birmingham City and Chelsea, told BBC Sport: "I'm not sure I would have had the courage to be available to support my team. They've allowed me to do that, so I can't be more grateful to everyone who has shown support. "I'm super grateful to them. I hope they bring that energy for every single minute of every single game for every single one of our players because they were loud and amazing... The love I felt was incredible, so thank you so much." Carter has taken a step away from social media following the vile abuse received during the tournament in Switzerland. While her starting teammates stood still ahead of kick off last night, substitutes, including Carter, gathered on the touchline with their arms linked in a show of solidarity. England boss Sarina Wiegman said the impact of taking the knee - seen in recent years as an anti-racism gesture - was "not good enough". When asked to describe her emotions on the touchline, Carter added: "I was trying to focus on not crying. "[Standing together] was about bringing awareness back to racism, that it's still here and present and that people are still having to put up with it." "I'm not saying massive change is going to be made but we wanted to make the point again to people sending hateful comments. We're here to try to do well for your country, perform for your country." The Lionesses trailed a large section of the game after Barbara Bonansea's goal - the first time any Italian player touched the ball in the England box - but substitute Michelle Agyemang's added time goal sent the tie to extra time. Chloe Kelly secured victory with penalties looming and now England face either Germany or Spain on Sunday in the final.
BBC News
14 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
'Incredible crowd love' gave Carter courage to play
Defender Jess Carter says the support of fans in England's Euro 2025 semi-final against Italy "meant everything" after being racially abused - or she wouldn't have had the confidence to play in the 2-1 Lionesses booked their spot in a Euros final for a second successive time after an extra-time success in came just two days after Carter revealed she had been subjected to online racist abuse since the tournament began in players then announced they would stop taking the knee before games and instead stood still before the kick-off against Italy on Tuesday. Substitutes, including Carter, stood on the touchline with their arms linked in a show of supporters at the Stade de Geneve chanted Carter's name throughout the match and applauded in the 16th minute in reference to her squad number. The Gotham FC defender, 27, received a rapturous reception when she came on as a substitute late in extra time as the defending champions held out for a comeback victory."It meant everything," Carter told BBC Sport of the crowd's response."Without that I wouldn't have felt the confidence to come out on to the pitch, whether for the last three minutes or not."I'm not sure I would have had the courage to be available to support my team. They've allowed me to do that, so I can't be more grateful to everyone who has shown support."I'm super grateful to them. I hope they bring that energy for every single minute of every single game for every single one of our players because they were loud and amazing. "The love I felt was incredible, so thank you so much."England's players said they decided to stop taking the knee because it was "clear we and football need to find another way to tackle racism", while manager Sarina Wiegman said the impact of the anti-racism gesture was "not good enough". "I was trying to focus on not crying," added Carter, when asked to describe her emotions on the touchline."[Standing together] was about bringing awareness back to racism, that it's still here and present and that people are still having to put up with it."I'm not saying massive change is going to be made but we wanted to make the point again to people sending hateful comments. We're here to try to do well for your country, perform for your country. "I don't mind the comments about not playing great, I can handle those ones, but the colour of my skin has nothing to do with my feet. I'll continue to give everything for my country."On her decision to open up about the abuse, the former Chelsea defender said: "It was really tough for me to step up and speak about something. I'm not really a person to do that, I keep my head down and keep going."But it got to a point where I didn't feel comfortable or confident in myself."I spoke with my team and everyone has been incredible. The support from my team has been amazing."Having gone a goal down, England looked set for defeat in Geneva but were rescued by a 96th-minute Michelle Agyemang equaliser, before Chloe Kelly scored in the final minute of extra time after her penalty was side will face Spain or Germany in the final on Sunday, 27 July at 17:00 BST.
Metro
19 hours ago
- Sport
- Metro
Wiegman explains decision to leave out Carter for England's Euro 2025 semi-final
Sarina Wiegman says the decision to leave Jess Carter out England's starting XI for the side's Women's Euro 2025 semi-final with Italy was purely 'tactical'. Just days after the Lionesses' quarter-final victory over Sweden, Carter revealed that she had received racist abuse throughout the campaign and would be 'taking a step back' from social media. The rest of Wiegman's England squad have rallied around the Gotham FC star in the intervening days, while FIFA boss Gianni Infantino came out condemning the horrendous online messages. Carter's omission is the only change to the side that overcame Sweden on penalties last Thursday, with the centre-back instead named on the substitutes bench in Geneva this evening. The 27-year-old, who started all four of England's previous matches, has been replaced by Washington Spirit's Esme Morgan, who starts alongside captain Leah Williamson at the back. There had been some uncertainty over Williamson's involvement after the England skipper left the Sweden match in a protective boot following an ankle knock – but Wiegman's side go into the match with a fully fit squad. Asked whether the decision to name Carter on the bench was a 'tactical' one, Wiegman told ITV Sport: 'Yes, that decision is based on the tactical challenges that we have. 'We think in this game that it is best to put Esme in.' England XI: Hampton, Bronze, Williamson, Morgan, Greenwood, Walsh, Stanway, Toone, James, Russo, Hemp Substitutes: Keating, Moorhouse, Charles, Mead, Le Tissier, Clinton, Carter, Agyemang, Kelly, Beever-Jones, Park, Wubben-Moy Wiegman insisted Carter was ready to make an impact off the bench should the opportunity present itself at the Geneva Stadium 'Jess is good,' she added. 'Of course, a lot of things going on, but she trained well and she's ready to compete and ready to play.' Carter's replacement in the side, Morgan, is more than ready to step up and do a job alongside Williamson, according to Wiegman. 'It's a huge night for Esme and it's a huge night for everyone. She's ready, she has been ready for a while,' the England manager continued. 'She had to wait for that and she showed that other night and I hope she does really well, of course.' Wiegman went on: 'We're going to do our very best to play at our best and let's see what it brings us. 'We want to take our game to the next level all the time and then we have different challenges. 'Italy will challenge us again, they have played in different shapes, they are tactical and they adapt to what the opponent does so that's a challenge in itself tonight. 'I hope we have the ball a lot and we can be on the ball a lot, but we'll see. Following Carter's sickening revelation, Wiegman revealed that her squad would no longer be taking the knee before matches as the gesture was not having a 'good enough' impact. 'Taking the knee, that's not enough. We have done that for a while. The impact is not good enough, it's not as big as we think,' she told BBC Sport on Monday. 'When there is this form of racism we felt we have to do something else, something different, so that's why we are not taking the knee.' More Trending The Lionesses will instead be standing at kick-off rather than kneeling. 'We feel like it has gone past that [taking the knee] now,' England midfielder Georgia Stanway explained. 'We feel it is still happening even when we are taking the knee. We have decided that we will stand and we will not do that. 'We think that is a way of making change in itself because we want to get people talking – we want to tell people that what is being done isn't enough.' MORE: Jess Carter proves there's no room for error as a Black player MORE: England vs Italy LIVE: Women's Euro 2025 semi-final latest score with Jess Carter benched MORE: Why the Lionesses will not take the knee before Italy Women's Euros semi-final
NBC News
3 days ago
- Sport
- NBC News
England's Jess Carter reveals racial abuse at Euro 2025, FA has contacted police
ZURICH — England defender Jess Carter says she has been subject to racial abuse online at the Women's European Championship. Carter came in for a lot of criticism for her performance during England's opening loss to France. And some of that has crossed the line even as the 27-year-old and the Lionesses have reached the semifinals at Euro 2025. 'From the start of the tournament I have experienced a lot of racial abuse,' Carter wrote in an emotional post on Instagram on Sunday. 'Whilst 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.' Carter has made 49 appearances for England and was part of the victorious Euro 2022 squad as well as an integral part of the team that finished runner-up to Spain at the World Cup the following year. She says she will be taking a step back from social media. '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,' Carted added. Carter's teammates immediately responded to her Instagram post with messages of support. The Football Association has contacted police back in the United Kingdom. 'Our priority is Jess and giving her all the support she needs,' FA CEO Mark Bullingham said. '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.' Bullingham added that the FA had measures in place to respond quickly as 'regrettably, this is not the first time this has happened to an England player.' Carter plays her club soccer for Gotham FC in the United States, having joined from Chelsea a year ago. 'We are heartbroken and outraged by the racist abuse directed at Jess Carter. Jess is not only a world-class football player — she is a role model, a leader and a valued part of our Gotham FC family,' the New York area-based team said in a statement. 'At Gotham, we believe in a culture of mutual respect and remain committed to building a game — and a community — where everyone feels safe, respected and celebrated. There is no place for racism in our sport.' England plays Italy in the semifinals on Tuesday in Geneva, after a dramatic comeback against Sweden last week saw the Lionesses win a chaotic penalty shootout. The other semifinal pits Spain against Germany on Wednesday. 'Hopefully speaking out will make the people writing this abuse think twice so that others won't have to deal with it,' Carter said. 'We have made some historic changes with this Lionesses squad that I am so proud to be 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 my energy into helping my team.'
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Ann-Katrin Berger's save for Germany is called 'the best ever in ANY game' at Euros - and she could now face Lioness fiancée in the final
The German national team's goalkeeper - who's engaged to an England Lioness and could face her in the Euros final - pulled off a shot-stop in the semi-finals of the tournament that has been called the 'best ever save' - across both the men's and women's games. Gotham FC's keeper Ann-Katrin Berger, 34, pulled off the 'incredible' save against France in a nail-biting quarter-final at St Jakob-Park in Basel on Saturday - and took her team to penalties, which she then also proved victorious even took one herself. Berger was around five yards out from her goal when the ball was shot towards the net by a French player, but she somehow managed to fling herself up and back to deflect the ball. The goalkeeper, who dates England defender Jess Carter, crashed to the ground with an injured shoulder after the impressive stop but rallied to keep playing. However, the incredible stop wasn't enough to secure Germany's place in the final, the team had to endure the rest of extra-time and then penalities - with only 10 players on the pitch after a first half red card. Berger had recently been under fire after she failed to save several goals in their game against Sweden which saw the team defeated 4-1. However, she was catapulted to heroine status having saved nine attempts to score from France. Fans went wild for Berger's incredible save against France and shared their appreciation on social media. One person said: 'That German keeper has probably made the best save I've ever seen.' Others added: 'Wow!! Single best save I've ever seen,' 'Absolutely incredible save there by the German keeper.' A fourth wrote: 'The German goalie with the GOAL SAVE of the year!!!!!! Including the men's goalies!!!' After the nerve-jangling penalty shoot out, which saw Germany claim victory, the team will now take on Spain, which could the lead to Berger coming face-to-face with her Lioness fiancee Jess Carter. Berger recently made headlines for revealing the personal meaning of her tattoos. The goalkeeper has a series of symbols inked just under her right ear, and a tree and a compass on her arm. Speaking to German newspaper Bild, the 34-year-old revealed that one of the tattoos hides a cancer scar, while the other two are also linked to the illness that has threatened her career twice. The shot-stopper, who plays her club football at Gotham FC in New York, was first diagnosed with the disease in 2017. Berger received heaps of praise from fans for the fantastic save against France She explained that she had thyroid cancer while playing for Birmingham City and told fans at the time she she would 'fight every day' to beat the disease. In 2022, she was re-diagnosed with the same type of cancer after being in remission for four years. Berger told Bild that she deliberately chose a neck tattoo because people would then talk about that rather than the marks left by her surgery. She said: 'I had problems with the scars I had from the cancer surgery. They bothered me. I had them tattooed over so no one would see them. Now everyone asks me about the tattoo and not about the scars.' Berger - who won three Women's Super League titles, two FA Cups and two League Cups with Chelsea - returned to the sport just over a month after being diagnosed with cancer. The German national star has since had other tattoos related to her two diagnoses. She explained: 'I have a tree on my arm now, that's the newest thing. I got it done when I was ill for the second time. 'The roots of a tree are more important than the beauty around them. I got a compass with a folder tattooed when I was ill for the first time.' The goalie is once again in remission and has regular check-ups every six months. Germany are currently in the other side of the Euros draw but Berger and her fiancee could meet on the pitch if they can defeat France. The couple were on opposing sides in the 2022 Euros final, where the Lionesses crushed Germany to win the title. The two became friends while playing for Birmingham in 2016, with the now couple eventually sharing a flat together. English defender Carter had only previously been in relationships with men and has said that, despite the pair sharing undeniable chemistry, she wasn't sure what was going on at first. She told The Guardian previously: 'I had broken up with my boyfriend when I moved in, but as far as I knew I was straight.' However, after a 'date' (which Carter initially thought was just as friends) the pair kissed while watching a movie at home, and Berger had well and truly convinced her Chelsea teammate that the spark was real. And the tables have certainly turned since Carter had to be subtly coaxed into understanding her feelings for Berger. Now it's the English international who is loud and proud for the world to see. In 2021, Carter said: 'I think I was – and probably still am – more comfortable than Ann is with publicising our relationship, but that is just because Ann is a very private person whereas I am more of a "the whole world could know and I wouldn't really care" kind of person. 'Over time and because I will say whatever, she has kind of got used to it and goes with it. By seeing that it is normal and you can be whoever you want to be ... (it) shows younger people that it is okay to be you.' Announcing their engagement on X, the couple posed alongside one another for a selfie, with the caption reading: '7 years down, forever to go'. Reflecting on her her cancer battle with BBC Sport in 2023, Berger insisted the challenges she has faced has made her a stronger person. Berger said: 'To be at a Euros [when] nobody knew then, the emotion of the Euros took the negative part away from my brain. 'It was a good year. I didn't let my illness come across and say "hey, you shouldn't have a good year because I'm back again".' Berger also revealed she is keen to discuss her cancer diagnosis, despite it often being a taboo subject for many people. She added: 'I actually quite like to talk about it. It's a topic nobody likes to talk about but in my position I think I can help people. 'I'm not sitting here saying everything was easy, because it's not, but whatever your main focus is - and mine was football - you can achieve everything you want to. 'That's why I think it's really important for me to be open. I did it, so why can't everyone else?'
