Jess Carter speaks out after racist abuse: ‘I want my nieces and nephews to be brave and powerful’

Jess Carter wants her nieces and nephews to grow up “strong, brave and powerful” and hopes that speaking out about the racist abuse she has faced during Euro 2025 will empower others.

After enduring online abuse during the tournament, Carter said on Sunday that she would be stepping away from social media as a result.

With the full support of the Lionesses, the team chose not to take the knee ahead of kick-off as “it is clear we and football need to find another way to tackle racism,” instead standing together in a show of unity.

“I’ve got mixed race nephews and nieces,” Carter said, speaking in the mixed zone after England’s dramatic semi-final win over Italy. “I want them to grow up being strong, brave and powerful and believing that they can do whatever they want to do. 

“I’m not saying it’s going to make a big difference and make a change but hopefully just making people aware that it’s not okay and racism is still going on.

“If me speaking up makes one silly person keep their mouth shut with certain comments, then that’s a big enough difference for me.

“We’re just here to do our job to the best of our ability and hopefully bring success back to England and that’s what we all try and do every time we put the badge on.

“I totally understand everyone has their own opinions on how we play – trust me, no one is more disappointed in some of my performances than I am. But the colour of my skin has got nothing to do with that.”

Carter’s teammates have spoken out to condemn the abuse, including Lucy Bronze who believes “more must be done in football” and Chloe Kelly who, after scoring the winner in Geneva to see England through to the final, said “sometimes, winning masks racism.”

“We try our best to stick together,” Carter added. “I think the scrutiny that people in the public eye get anyway is outrageous. We understand football is a game of opinions and we just do our best every day to try and be the best that we can.  

“So I just hope that it makes some people think twice before speaking up and recognise the effects that it has on the team, on certain players.

“Just be kind. The easiest thing to do is be kind.”

The 27-year-old defender had been a mainstay of Sarina Wiegman’s starting line-up this tournament, starting all the matches in Switzerland until Tuesday’s semi-final against Italy, where she came on as a substitute.

When Carter came on the 121st minute to earn her 50th international cap, she was greeted to the loudest cheer of the night, with Lionesses fans wanting to show support and solidarity.

“Yeah it’s been pretty tough,” Carter added. “Ever since the France game, the abuse started and it was really tough. A lot of stuff doesn’t really bother me so for me to feel a way about it, I needed to speak up and let people know about it.

“It was my team that encouraged me to put it out, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to say something. I felt like I really needed a bit of support and a bit of extra TLC from my team that I don’t usually need.

“The fans today were unbelievable and their support was incredible and I can’t thank them all enough for being on my side and on my team’s. 

“We recognise our true fans – the ones that turn up and have been cheering us on from minute one, regardless of every setback that we’ve had, they’re our true fans.

“We really recognise that, we really appreciate them and we need them all to keep going and get us over that line in the final.”

The Lionesses face either Germany or Spain in the Euros final on Sunday July 27, where England will be looking to retain their European title.