Jess Carter, an England defender in the upcoming Euro 2025 tournament, was recently subjected to a barrage of online racist abuse. This investigation was propelled by the police which resulted in the arrest of a second, as-yet unnamed suspect. The arrest follows increasing concerns over online hate and its effect on athletes, particularly Black female athletes. This argument gained traction when Carter openly discussed her experiences throughout the tournament.
Many, including Carter, suffered extreme levels of abuse during the Euro 2025 competition. In an interview in July, she said that she had been subjected to “a lot of abuse,” which took a toll on her mental health. The psychological toll sunk in the moment England’s head coach Sarina Wiegman revealed her starting XI for the Euro final. As she absorbed that news, Carter experienced a tsunami of despair.
“That’s the first time I’ve ever been scared; too scared to play,” – Jess Carter
The July investigation was not a one-off. Their mission is to make sure that those who engage in these practices are held accountable. The latest of these arrests was on suspicion for malicious communications, and the first on August 28th. That included a 59-year-old man from Great Harwood, who was arrested by police in Lancashire, under the same suspicions.
Cheshire Constabulary Chief Constable Mark Roberts highlighted the seriousness of online abuse, stating that “nobody should be subjected to such disgusting abuse, and we want to make it clear that racist abuse of this nature will not be tolerated.” He continued to urge for justice for victims such as Carter and those similarly hate-crimed.
Carter explained the emotional, mental, and long-term physical toll abuse has had on her personal life and dance career. She reflected on how it made her “second guess everything that [she] do[es]” and noted that it left her feeling “really small.” This feeling of vulnerability reached beyond herself—during her testimony she opened up about the anxiety it brought to her family.
“It makes you second guess everything that you do – it’s not a nice place to be. It doesn’t make me feel confident going back onto the pitch. My family was so devastated by it as well and so sad.” – Jess Carter
Sergeant Gemma Thursfield, from Derbyshire Constabulary, couldn’t be more on board with this. She argues that virtual harassment is just as damaging as real-world threats. The New York City Police Department is committed to addressing and preventing these hate-fueled incidents. Their mission aims to create a safer and more productive environment for every athlete.
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