Jess Carter, the England defender who plays for Gotham FC in the United States, has revealed the extent of the racist and sexist abuse she has faced as a professional footballer. In an exclusive interview with The Update Desk, Carter opened up about her harrowing experiences during last year’s Euros, where she was the target of vile online messages.
Carter, who has 52 caps for the England national team, said she was so scared of encountering her abusers that she did not want to leave her hotel room during the tournament. “It totally devalues you as a human being,” she said, describing the messages as a “scary time.”
The 28-year-old defender, who helped England win the Euros in 2022, said the abuse female players face is “getting worse,” with players now “hesitating about who you want to be” due to the worsening reaction on social media.
Carter, who moved to the US in 2024, has noticed a stark contrast in the way fans treat players in the two countries. While supporters in England have become increasingly hostile, the Gotham FC fans have been “a lot more friendly” and “so happy and so positive.”
The former Chelsea player praised the social media companies for their efforts in tackling online abuse but stressed that more collaboration is needed between the platforms and the police to ensure the issue is addressed effectively.
“What I have learned from all of this is, the criteria for what the police class as going over the line versus what some social media companies believe has crossed the line is a little bit different,” Carter said.
With the popularity of women’s football growing, Carter warned that the sport’s reputation as a “free space” for players to be themselves is starting to fade. “We want it to be family-friendly still. We want great rivalries, but the abuse doesn’t need to come with it,” she said.
The Update Desk’s investigation highlights the alarming extent of the abuse faced by female footballers and the urgent need for stronger measures to protect players and ensure the sport remains a welcoming environment for all.
