In a troubling turn for English football, a second man has been arrested in connection with the racist and abusive messages sent to England defender Jess Carter during the 2025 UEFA Women's European Championship. The 27-year-old footballer, who plays her club football for Gotham FC in the United States and hails from Warwick, became the target of online hate during and after the high-profile tournament held in Switzerland.
Police confirmed that on September 2, 2025, officers from Derbyshire Constabulary took a 30-year-old man from Ripley, Derbyshire, into custody on suspicion of making malicious communications. This arrest comes just days after a 59-year-old man from Great Harwood, Lancashire, was arrested on August 28 for a similar offence. Both arrests form part of a wider investigation led by the UK Football Policing Unit (UKFPU), which has been working closely with social media companies to identify those responsible for the offensive messages.
The abuse directed at Carter first came to light during the Women's Euros in July, a tournament in which England successfully defended their European title with a dramatic victory over Spain in the final. Carter, a key figure in the Lionesses' defense, started in five of England’s six matches, showcasing her resilience on the pitch even as she faced adversity off it.
Cheshire Constabulary Chief Constable Mark Roberts, the National Police Chief Council's lead for football policing, has been vocal in his condemnation of the abuse. He stated, "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 further emphasized the importance of accountability, adding, "Everyone is responsible for what they do and say, and we want to ensure offenders cannot hide behind a social media profile to post vile comments." Roberts also commended Carter for her courage, saying, "I would like to commend her for standing up to this abuse and assisting with our investigation."
The impact of the abuse on Carter has been profound. In an interview with ITV News Sports Editor Steve Scott, Carter revealed how the experience affected her confidence and sense of self-worth. "It makes you feel really small," she said. "It makes you feel like you're not important, that you're not valuable. 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."
Initially, Carter did not intend to make her decision to step back from social media public. However, her sister encouraged her to speak out, reminding her of the importance of standing up for herself and others. Carter recalled, "I didn't want to initially, but my sister was like, 'If this was your niece or nephew, if this is Michelle Agyemang or Lauren James or Khiara [Keating], what would you want to do? How would you want to support them?' Like you wouldn't want them to be quiet and do it by themselves, so why should you do it? I guess if it wasn't for her, I probably wouldn't have spoken up about it."
The scale of the abuse during the tournament was staggering. According to a report by The Athletic, a threat monitoring service identified 3,000 social media posts containing "hostile or concerning content" directed at the England team during the Euros final against Spain. Of these, 95 posts specifically targeted individual players or the head coach, and a shocking 42 percent included racist abuse. These statistics underscore the persistent challenges faced by players of color in football, even at the highest levels of the game.
England head coach Sarina Wiegman was among those who spoke out against the abuse suffered by Carter. Wiegman, who has led the Lionesses to back-to-back European championships, expressed her support for Carter and her condemnation of the racist messages, reinforcing the team's commitment to standing against discrimination in all its forms.
The wave of abuse also had broader implications for the England team. In response to the incidents, the squad made the decision to stop taking the knee before matches, a move that was seen as both a protest and a statement of solidarity with Carter and other players who have faced similar treatment. Carter herself released a statement on July 20, 2025, acknowledging the "lot of racial abuse" she experienced during the tournament and calling for greater awareness and action within the football community.
Law enforcement officials have been clear that online abuse will be treated with the same seriousness as in-person offences. Sergeant Gemma Thursfield from Derbyshire Constabulary stated, "Abuse online is no different to being in person and people need to be clear that the posts they make, or messages they send, on social media are just the same as making them in person. The impact on Jess, and other victims of this crime, are clear to see and we will work with our partners in law enforcement to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice."
As the investigation continues, the UK Football Policing Unit remains committed to working with social media companies to track down those responsible for the hateful messages. The arrests of two men in quick succession signal a determined effort by authorities to clamp down on online racism and send a message that such behavior will not be tolerated in the world of sport.
Carter's resilience and willingness to speak out have made her a symbol of strength for many, both on and off the field. Her experience has sparked conversations across the football community about the ongoing fight against racism and the need for systemic change, not just in policing but in the culture of the sport itself.
While the investigation is still ongoing and both suspects have been released on bail, the developments in Carter's case highlight the urgent need for greater protections for athletes against online abuse. With the support of her teammates, coaches, and fans, Carter continues to inspire hope for a more inclusive and respectful future in football.
For now, the football world watches closely as authorities pursue justice, determined to ensure that every player can compete at the highest level free from hate and discrimination.
