Lionesses Stop Taking Knee in Response to Racial Abuse Against Jess Carter

According to statements in Zurich, Lucy Bronze expressed the Lionesses’ anger and sadness over the racial abuse experienced by Jess Carter — who has now decided to step back from social media during Euro 2025.

FA CEO Mark Bullingham has reported this case to UK police for further investigation. The England women’s national team has also made the decision to no longer take the knee before matches — a gesture that previously symbolized resistance against racism.

“We feel the message of taking the knee isn’t as strong as it used to be. Is the message really hitting hard? Because to us it feels like it’s not if these things are still happening to our players in the biggest tournaments of their lives,” Bronze stated.

The team held meetings on Saturday night and Sunday morning to discuss their collective action. Bronze emphasized that online abuse in women’s football is getting worse — social media platforms need to be more accountable and take stronger action against perpetrators of racial abuse.