FIFA president Gianni Infantino “saddened” at racist abuse suffered by England’s Jess Carter | OneFootball

Jess Carter (pictured for Chelsea in 2024) revealed she has suffered racist abuse during Euro 2025 (Judit Cartiel/SPP)

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has reacted to the racist abuse suffered by England star Jess Carter during Women’s Euro 2025.

The Lionesses defender revealed she will “take a step back from social media” to protect herself and maintain her focus on helping England defend the trophy they won three years ago.

It comes after experiencing “alot of racial abuse” since the tournament in Switzerland got underway.

Carter, who made her England debut in 2017 and has 49 caps, was a member of the squad that won Euro 2022.

Having started her career at Birmingham City, she won five Women’s Super League titles with Chelsea before leaving for American club Gotham FC last summer.

What did FIFA president Gianni Infantino say about racist abuse suffered by Jess Carter?

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has taken to social media to condemn the racist abuse that Jess Carter has suffered during Euro 2025.

He said: “I am deeply saddened to see the online abuse directed at England’s Jess Carter during the ongoing Women’s EURO tournament.

“There is no place for racism in football or in society. We stand with Jess. We stand with every player and every individual who has suffered from racist abuse.

“No player should be discriminated against in any way, they should be free to be at their very best on the pitch.”

Infantino added that FIFA will continue to work towards tackling racism through FIFA’s Social Media Protection Service.

He concluded: “In this instance, we will be offering our support with any further action required, as well as sharing data for appropriate action to be taken against any perpetrators.

Jess Carter statement on racist abuse

Jess Carter in her statement said she will take a step back from her social media and ‘leave it for a team to deal with’.

She said: “From the start of the tournament, I have experienced a lot of racial abuse.

“Whilst I feel every fan is entitled to their opinion on performance and result, I don’t agree or think it’s ok to target someone’s appearance or race.

Carter added that she is making the decision to protect herself “in a bid to keep my focus on helping the team anyway I can.”

She said: “Hopefully speaking out will make the people writing this abuse think twice so others won’t have to deal with it.

“We have made some historic changes with this Lionesses squad that I am so proud to be a part of and my hope is that by speaking out about this it will make another positive change for all.”

How have the Lionesses responded to the racist abuse?

England are working with police after Jess Carter revealed she had been the target of racist abuse.

Mark Bullingham, the chief of the Football Association, confirmed that his organisation has already reported the “abhorrent” abuse to UK police, who are “in touch with the relevant social media platform”.

The Lionesses have also reached the decision to not take the knee before kick-off in their Euro 2025 semi-final with Italy on Tuesday.

Taking the knee has been a symbolic anti-racism gesture across sport, which started when NFL player Colin Kaepernick knelt during the Star Spangled Banner in protest.

An England team statement said: “Until now, we have chosen to take the knee before matches.

“It’s clear we and football need to find another way to tackle racism. We have agreed as a squad to remain standing before kick-off on Tuesday.”