Jess Carter's Courageous Revelation Sparks Team's Decision
Jess Carter's brave revelation about racist abuse sparks a powerful message from the Lionesses.
Sweden goalkeeper Jennifer Falk made a stunning impact in the penalty shootout, saving four England penalties to help her team advance. Falk's incredible saves, including one from Lauren James' second effort, proved crucial in the match.
England's Penalty Woes
England struggled with their penalty-taking, with several players missing their spot-kicks. Beth Mead, Alex Greenwood, and Grace Clinton all failed to score from the penalty spot, adding to England's woes. Lauren James also had one of her penalties saved after Falk guessed correctly on her second attempt.
“It's horrible to say but it's almost like a sigh of relief when other players that weren't black missed a penalty, because the racism that would have come with LJ (James) being the only one that missed would have been astronomical,” Carter told ITN on Monday.
“It's not because we want them to fail - it's about knowing how it's going to be for us (England's black players) if we miss.”
England's Narrow Victory Over Sweden
England defender Jess Carter felt a wave of relief wash over her when her non-black teammates missed penalties during the shootout win over Sweden in the Women's EURO 2025 quarter-finals. Carter feared that if Lauren James had been the only player to miss her spot-kick, she would have faced an “astronomical” amount of racist abuse. This sentiment stems from the understanding that Black players often bear the brunt of racial abuse when they make mistakes on the field.
Racist Abuse in Football
Carter's concerns are rooted in her own experience of being targeted by online racist abuse since the tournament began in Switzerland. She has taken a step back from social media to protect her mental well-being. According to Carter, such abuse can be devastating, making players feel “small,” “unimportant,” and “not valuable.” It also affects their confidence and makes them second-guess their actions on the pitch.
Impact on Players
The impact of racist abuse on players like Carter and James can be profound. James, who has faced similar abuse in the past, has spoken about how it fuels her determination to perform better on the field. She aims to be a role model for young players from diverse backgrounds, promoting inclusivity and resilience in the face of adversity.
England's Response
The England team traditionally takes a knee before matches as a gesture against racism. However, they opted not to do so before their semi-final against Italy, following Carter's revelations about the abuse she faced. This decision highlights the complexities of addressing racism in sports and the need for ongoing support and action.
Carter's Fear of Playing in the Final
Carter also shared her feelings of fear when England manager Sarina Wiegman informed her she would be playing in the final against Spain. Despite these nerves, Carter didn't play in the final, with Wiegman choosing to bring her in for Esme Morgan. England ultimately won the final 3-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, with Chloe Kelly scoring the winning penalty.
“That's the first time I've ever been scared - too scared to play,” Carter said.
“I think it was a mixture of such a big game, but then on top of that (I was) scared of whatever abuse might come with it, whether it's football based or whether it was going to be the racial abuse that was going to come with it because I did something wrong.”
No comments:
Leave comment here