Jess Carter Opens Up About Racist Abuse That Left Her Terrified During Euro 2025

England national team defender Jess Carter has opened up about the horrifying racist abuse she endured during Euro 2025, revealing that the harassment was so severe it left her frightened to step outside her hotel room throughout the tournament.

"I was genuinely scared to leave the hotel because I worried those people sending those messages might actually be in Switzerland," the 28-year-old told BBC Sport. "It was an absolutely terrifying experience. It makes you feel worthless as a person."

In early March, 60-year-old Nigel Dewale admitted guilt to sending racist messages to Carter's TikTok account while the Euros were underway. The hateful content included slurs about her race and falsely claimed that individuals with brown skin were "murderers" and "groomers." Remarkably, England managed to successfully defend their European championship despite this ugly backdrop.

Carter, who has earned 52 international caps for England, admits this ordeal shattered her confidence for the first time in her professional career. "I've always been confident in everything I do, but this was the first time I felt my confidence waver on the pitch," she acknowledged.

The former Chelsea standout had to distance herself from social media during the competition after experiencing what she called "extensive racial harassment" from day one. Her England teammates provided crucial support, and the squad collectively chose to stop taking a knee before matches, believing they needed to explore alternative approaches to combat racism.

Rising Concern: Abuse in Women's Football on the Increase

Carter, currently playing for Gotham FC in the United States, warns that the abuse directed at female footballers "is escalating." As women's soccer gains popularity, so does unwanted negative attention. The Lionesses' increasing visibility means players are becoming bigger targets.

"Player profiles are massive now," Carter noted. "Every athlete should feel safe walking down the street and being themselves, but we're reaching a point where many players no longer feel that sense of security."

She's observed a significant contrast between playing in England versus America. While English fans who travel to matches are "incredible," she finds Gotham supporters to be more consistently positive overall. "American fans just seem so enthusiastic and supportive, telling you how great you are even after an off game," she shared.

For Canadian and international fans following England's journey in upcoming tournaments, Carter's experience raises important questions about player well-being that could affect team dynamics and on-field performance. She now prioritizes her happiness above football, meaning future career choices will depend on where she feels most comfortable.

Call for Better Coordination Between Law Enforcement and Tech Companies

Carter has been assisting police throughout their investigation into Dewale, who is scheduled for sentencing on March 25th. Magistrates have indicated that all sentencing options, including imprisonment, remain under consideration.

While commending social media platforms for being "genuinely impressive" in addressing abuse, Carter pinpointed a critical gap. The standards police use to define illegal content don't align with what social media companies consider violations of their policies. "When social media companies won't share information because they don't believe their criteria have been breached, police are powerless to act," she explained.

Carter argues that law enforcement and social media platforms must collaborate more effectively and "align their approaches." Without this coordination, she doubts whether online harassment can be fully eradicated. This case has spotlighted the pressing need for enhanced protections for athletes, especially as women's football experiences unprecedented growth worldwide.