Jess Carter racism scandal shocks women’s football, threatens to undermine sport’s extraordinary progress

England defender Jess Carter’s revelation about enduring a torrent of racist abuse during the UEFA European Women’s Championship has brought renewed attention to the persistent problem of discrimination in women’s football. Carter, choosing to step away from her social media, underscored both her vulnerability and the solidarity shown by Head Coach Sarina Wiegman, her teammates, and the Football Association.

The FA responded swiftly, engaging law enforcement and collaborating with social media platforms to identify the perpetrators, setting an example of decisive action. The passage of the Online Safety Act in October 2023 now obliges platforms to protect users, making them responsible for removing hate speech, with Ofcom overseeing enforcement.

Racism in football is fundamentally a matter of social justice and human rights. Women make up half the UK’s population and represent a powerful force for driving societal change. The support Carter received from her squad and coaching staff demonstrates the importance of leadership and community in creating a safe environment for victims and countering hate with unity.

However, the problem extends far beyond Carter’s situation. Earlier this season, Khadija Shaw of Manchester City and Jamaica also faced vile online attacks despite her status as a role model. The widespread condemnation from her club and fans showed how crucial it is for everyone in football to confront prejudice directly.

While the form of abuse has shifted from in-person encounters to relentless digital harassment, the imperative remains: offenders must be vigorously pursued, held to account, and stripped of anonymity. “Zero tolerance cannot be a slogan—it must be a legal and cultural imperative.” Allowing racism to fester threatens the hard-won growth of the women’s game.

With more girls from diverse backgrounds joining the sport, safeguarding them and ensuring equitable pathways into coaching and administration are vital for football’s future. The men’s game offers a cautionary tale—despite significant black representation among players, the ranks of coaches and administrators remain alarmingly sparse, a legacy of systemic exclusion.

Football clubs’ charitable foundations already leverage the sport’s influence to fight racial and gender discrimination, but more can be done. Mandatory equality and inclusion training, such as that pioneered by Charlton Athletic, offers essential lessons in respect and acceptance. Embedding anti-racism into the national curriculum is also key to shaping inclusive attitudes from an early age.

Racism in football continues to cast a damaging shadow, undermining progress and corroding communities. As the Lionesses have demanded: “those behind this online poison must be held accountable.” Jess Carter’s ordeal highlights the urgent need for robust accountability and underscores why establishing an independent football regulator is critical. True equality, diversity, and inclusion must be at the heart of both club culture and the governance structures guiding football’s future.