In her equally heroic way, England’s national football team comes together to work towards a third straight final. They fight hard not just to win on the pitch, but to fight against that pervasive racism off the field that players like the aforementioned Jess Carter deal with. The whole squad prepares intensely for that decisive game against Italy. They are working to turn their first half struggles into a dominant performance that will propel them through the rest of the tournament.
The squad has openly condemned the vile and degrading abuse directed at their Black teammates, particularly in light of Carter’s recent admission regarding the racist attacks she endured on social media. Just recently, national team coach Sarina Wiegman and midfielder Georgia Stanway have lent their support behind Carter. They emphasize the need to fight racism not only in sports but in society as a whole.
As Stanway had said earlier in the tournament, their focus was on making sure that their football did the talking. As she stated upfront, “We want our football to do the talking.” This great quote resonates as they not only stand up to adversity on the field but challenge injustice in our society. The players aim to add positivity to an emotionally drained group, especially after dealing with teammate departures, including Mary Earps, Fran Kirby, and Millie Bright.
To get there, the team has had to overcome a gauntlet of challenges during the contest. Anyone who has pulled on an England shirt for over a decade has had to face a barrage of questions about their suitability in the wake of these exits. Rather than avoid potential pitfalls, they actively sought them out. With incredible empathy, solidarity, and power, they went beyond their football framework to fight against racism and discrimination.
Those fears were compounded with the shock that four members of England’s starting eleven were doubtful to even make the Euros, thanks to long-term injuries. Their grit has been the secret ingredient to their success. They proved their mettle by fighting back from a daunting 2-0 deficit against Sweden and winning the match in a breathtaking penalty shootout. Of all the heroes from this tension-filled moment, Lucy Bronze and Michelle Agyemang were two key figures in showing the Lionesses depth and possible capability.
Initially demoralized by a defeat to France in their opening game, England faced the unsettling prospect of elimination from the group stage. They came together with fierce resiliency and power, turning their struggles into an engine of inspiration. The current squad not only aims to showcase their skills on the field but seeks to send a powerful message against racism to the world.
As England’s players line up for their first kick against Italy, they know their journey extends far beyond the world of sport. It reflects their commitment to uplifting each other and advancing transformational, grassroots change. The next virtual match up holds a real opportunity for to win. It challenges us to drive real change toward combating the systemic inequity in sports.
Leave a Reply