Sarina Wiegman has hinted that Jess Carter will start against Italy after the player opened up about facing online racist abuse at Euro 2025, with the England manager also slamming ‘disgusting’ social media trolls.
Lionesses defender Carter, 27, capped 49 times by her country to date, said in a statement on Sunday that she had suffered ‘a lot’ of abuse ‘from the start of the tournament’, where she’s started all four matches so far.
The Football Association (FA) has confirmed it is ‘working with police to ensure those responsible for this hate crime are brought to justice’ while FIFA is sharing data with the relevant authorities to identify the culprits.
Carter is taking a step back from social media and the Lionesses have decided to stop the anti-racism gesture of taking a knee before matches, saying it’s ‘clear we and football need to find another way to tackle racism’.
In a press conference on Monday ahead of England’s semi-final clash against Italy, Lionesses boss Wiegman said: ‘It’s really sad that we have to be occupied by this, it’s ridiculous and disgusting what’s happening.
‘It goes beyond football, we have to support Jess [Carter]. She’s not the only one who gets this abuse that’s why she wanted to address it. She’s fully supported by the team and myself.’
Quizzed on if she would consider not playing Carter against Italy, Wiegman added: ‘Of course we have had a conversation. It’s a hard situation but Jess is a very strong person, she wants to move on too, but she and we felt we had to address this, we can’t let it go. So we did.
‘We want to perform in the match, she’s ready to perform and compete. That says a lot about her and the team.’
‘Hopefully speaking out will make people think twice’
The full statement from Euro 2022 winner Carter, released by the FA, said: ‘From the start of the tournament I have experienced a lot of racial abuse.
‘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.
‘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.’
‘No one should have to endure such vile abuse’
A separate message from the entire Lionesses squad read: ‘We stand with Jess and all Lionesses players past and present who have suffered racism.
‘No one should have to endure such vile abuse, be that in football or any walk of life.
‘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.
‘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.’
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FIFA boss ‘deeply saddened’ at Carter abuse
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said: ‘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. 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.’