The Women’s Euro 2025: A Moment of Triumph and a Wake-Up Call for Anti-Racism
Targeted with racist abuse during Euro 2025, Carter has chosen to step back from social media for her wellbeing.
The UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 may be over, but the deep-rooted challenges it exposed are still very much with us. As England lifted the trophy in Switzerland, the euphoria on the pitch collided with the ugliness of racist abuse just off it, reminding us that celebration must be accompanied by action.
When Success Meets Hate
England Defender Jess Carter faced a barrage of online racial abuse following England’s victory in the quarter-final against Sweden. The flood of vitriol drove her to step away from social media for her safety and wellbeing. Eventually, a 59-year-old man was arrested in connection to some of those messages. These incidents lay bare the rising tide of intolerance threatening women’s sport and society alike.
Systems Are Failing Women
A recent study reveals that British sports bodies still lack policies to protect female athletes against online abuse. These gaps have left stars like Carter vulnerable precisely when they should be protected and celebrated. The study underlines that social media platforms, while lucrative, remain unsafe spaces without firmer institutional safeguards.
Racism Isn’t Bound to Men’s Football
As Lucy Bronze noted, "the bigger the game gets, the noisier it becomes." The rapid rise of women’s football has shone a brighter spotlight, but it hasn’t deterred abusers. If anything, female players particularly Black and global majority athletes are facing even more online vitriol.
What This Means for Us at You Be You
We must act. At You Be You, our anti-racist art workshops equip children with tools to confront racism creatively and confidently. In our recent sessions, over 90% of pupils said they felt more ready to talk about anti-racism. But this isn't enough.
We need radical, system-wide change:
Sport institutions must develop robust, gender- and race-sensitive safeguarding.
Media platforms must be held accountable for abuse facilitated through anonymity.
Educators, employers, and community leaders must amplify inclusive practices that counter toxic narratives and protect marginalised voices.
The Women’s Euro 2025 wasn’t just a tournament. It was a test of our values.
It’s on all of us to ensure that when the next generation celebrates success, they do so knowing they’re protected, respected, and truly free to be who they are. Until that happens, the game and the fight must continue.