Jess Carter: 'I wished I'd spoken out sooner on racist abuse'

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England defender Jess Carter says she wishes she had spoken out sooner about racist abuse directed at her

England player Jess Carter has said she wishes she had spoken out earlier about the racism she experienced during Euro 25, adding "a lot of people don't understand how much racial abuse can affect you."

The defender issued a statement after England had played Sweden in the tournament saying she would be taking a step back from social media, after being subjected to "a lot of racial abuse".

"Part of me wished I spoke out about it straight away after the first game," she said, "because I think then I wouldn't have maybe [been] silently trying to deal with it by myself."

The Football Association said it was working with police to ensure those responsible were brought to justice.

People often "aren't aware of the effects" of racism the 27-year-old, from Warwick, added, "so it was really difficult".

Speaking to her team-mates and family about the abuse had helped, she explained, because she "didn't really realise" how much she had needed the support she received.

The England defender says the support of family, fans and team-mates was hugely important

Carter, who made her England debut in 2017 and has 49 caps, was also 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 US club Gotham FC last summer.

The support she received following her statement had been "amazing", she said.

"Just knowing that everybody was there for me, regardless of whatever I wanted to do was, was really important, and that helped a lot."

But, she added, "it was definitely a tough time".

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Racism is not just a feature in football, she said, "it's in workplaces, it's in day-to-day life".

"The dos and don'ts to me seem pretty obvious, but there's a lot of people that don't understand.

"I don't have all the answers," she said, but added: "I think that firstly we need to educate people more."

The tournament had been "incredible," Carter said, but had "definitely tested the character of England".

The change in the women's game since she joined the Birmingham side aged 16 had been "huge," she revealed.

"So knowing that we are able to continue and have that impact on the younger generations coming through is incredible.

"And hopefully we can just inspire more people to not even just play football, but just follow their dreams, whatever that may look like."

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