Tom Hamilton
Geneva – British midfielder Georgia Stanway commented that the individual who directed racist remarks at Jess Carter is not a true supporter of the Lionesses, noting that he has chosen to stop taking a knee before matches, as the gesture “had become performative.”
Carter announced on Sunday that she would be stepping back from social media due to the racist abuse she received during Euro 2025. In solidarity, the Lionesses gathered around her, and Carter expressed her decision to stand instead of kneeling during the match against Italy in Geneva on Tuesday.
“It’s evident that we in football need to discover alternative methods to combat racism,” the team stated.
Sarina Wiegman expressed her disappointment, saying, “It’s heartbreaking that we need to focus on this. What’s happening is ridiculous and appalling; it surpasses football. We need to address it and support Jess, who is not alone in facing such abuse.” She emphasized that many others also experience racism, and the team stands by her side.
Stanway noted that since Euro 2022, players have seen an increase in social media abuse correlating with their rising profiles.
“Those who engage in this abusive behavior are not genuine fans,” Stanway said.
“Putting on that shirt means something different to us because we play for the people here for the game—the true fans. I stand by this belief with conviction.”
The Bayern Munich midfielder emphasized that Carter is not alone in this struggle.
“If we aim to make a difference, we must do so collectively,” Stanway stated, noting that the team collectively decided against taking a knee prior to the match.
“We aim to instigate change,” she continued. “We felt that our kneeling wasn’t achieving the impact we desired, so we made the choice to stand.”
– England’s semifinal record: A testament to hard work and solidarity
– Euro 2025 Semi-finals: Tactical strategies for overcoming each team
– Italy embracing a atmosphere of joy as they prepare to face England
“We seek to foster dialogue and drive change. It starts with those who wield influence on social media. Our principles and perspectives remain steadfast, which is why our actions are unified,” added Stanway.
Wiegman confirmed that Carter is prepared to compete against Italy if selected for the Euro 2025 semi-finals on Tuesday.
“Naturally, there was a discussion,” Wiegman explained. “It’s a challenging situation, yet Jess is a strong individual who wants to move forward. We understand the importance of addressing this, just as we did. The match is happening, and we are ready. She is ready.
Fan Take: This news highlights the ongoing battle against racism in sports, emphasizing the importance of community support for players suffering abuse. For soccer fans, it signifies a crucial moment for the sport to reshape its approach to tackling discrimination, paving the way for a more inclusive future.
