England's Jess Carter Speaks Out After Euro 2025 Win

England soccer star Jess Carter didn't want to leave her hotel room during Euro 2025, even as her team marched toward victory. The reason? Racist messages flooding her social media made her fear encountering those abusers in person.

"It totally devalues you as a human being," Carter told BBC Sport. The 28-year-old defender received messages during the tournament that included slurs about her race and suggested people with brown skin were "murderers" and "groomers."

This month brought a measure of justice when 60-year-old Nigel Dewale pleaded guilty to sending the abusive posts to Carter's TikTok account. He faces sentencing in March, with all options including prison remaining on the table.

Carter's courage in speaking up reveals a troubling trend. Despite women's soccer growing in popularity and England winning the tournament, female players face increasing online sexism, racism, and homophobic abuse.

"We're just expected to put up with it," Carter said. She explained that staying silent only makes others think abuse isn't an issue, forcing players to "suffer alone."

The impact went beyond emotional hurt. For the first time in her career spanning 52 caps for England since 2017, Carter's confidence dropped on the pitch during moments when she needed it most.

Why This Inspires

Carter's decision to speak publicly about her experience is already creating change. During Euro 2025, she sparked important conversations with teammates about anti-racism gestures, pushing the sport to find more effective ways to combat hate.

Now playing for Gotham FC in the US, Carter notices American fans are "a lot more friendly" and positive compared to what she experienced in England. She's prioritizing her happiness and mental health when making career decisions, setting an example for other athletes facing similar struggles.

Carter also identified a key problem in fighting online abuse: police and social media companies use different criteria for what crosses the line. When their standards don't align, abusers can slip through the cracks even when law enforcement wants to act.

Her advocacy is pushing both groups to work together more closely. Social media companies have been "really amazing" in helping her case, but Carter knows the system needs improvement so justice comes faster for future victims.

Despite the darkness she faced, Carter remains committed to keeping women's soccer the welcoming, family-friendly space it's always been. She wants every player to feel comfortable being themselves without hesitation or fear.

Her message is clear: speaking up matters, change is possible, and no athlete should face abuse alone.