Geneva, July 22 (AP) –
England's national football team is working with police authorities after defender Jess Carter revealed she had been subjected to racist abuse during Euro 2025. In a statement released on Sunday, the Lionesses announced they would no longer take a knee before matches, stating that "it is clear we and football need to find another way to tackle racism."
Carter, 27, shared that she had been receiving racial abuse since the start of the tournament and has now decided to step back from social media. The Football Association has condemned the abuse, calling it a hate crime, and confirmed it is cooperating with police to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
England, the defending champions, will face Italy on Tuesday, following Carter's revelation of the abuse, which has been reported to the police. Wiegman stated, "She's ready to perform and to compete, which speaks volumes about her resilience and the unity of the team," during a press briefing at the Geneva stadium on Monday.
Wiegman further remarked, "It's truly disheartening that we need to focus on this matter. The situation is utterly ridiculous, and such acts are repulsive, transcending the realm of football." England had a challenging start in their quarterfinal against Sweden in Zurich, trailing by two goals in the first half-hour. However, they managed a dramatic comeback, eventually winning through a chaotic penalty shootout. Carter is not alone in experiencing such vile attacks, Wiegman noted, emphasizing that the team is poised to deliver a "message to the world."
England midfielder Georgia Stanway highlighted that the team's collective support for Carter has served to strengthen their bond. "It's probably brought us together as a team," she said. Carter has also received backing from the Italian side, with defender Cecilia Salvai expressing her hope for Carter to play the game at full capacity. "She isn't the first victim of such abuse, and we stand in complete solidarity with her," Salvai stated in translated remarks.
Italian coach Andrea Soncin condemned the abuse and expressed his team's readiness to join England in any joint demonstration during Tuesday's match. "We bear a significant responsibility in conveying positive messages," he said. Stanway also disclosed that discussions surrounding Carter's situation have led some players to consider stepping away from social media due to frustration.
The tournament organizer UEFA, along with FIFA and the International Olympic Committee, have exerted efforts to safeguard athletes by working with online platforms to monitor and report abusive posts. Nonetheless, UEFA acknowledged last week that these tactics have limited success due to the regulatory policies imposed by social networks. "Despite the challenging circumstances, Jess is incredibly strong," Wiegman remarked. "Both she and the team felt it was necessary to confront the issue instead of ignoring it."
The 27-year-old Carter, with 49 caps for England, arrived at Euro 2025 on the heels of her club Gotham FC's triumph in the CONCACAF Champions Cup final. She is supported by her teammates at Gotham, including her partner Ann-Katrin Berger, whose performance as goalkeeper was pivotal in Germany's victory over France in their quarterfinal. Germany is set to clash with tournament favorites Spain in the other semifinal on Wednesday in Zurich. The final will take place on Sunday in Basel. AP
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