Lionesses Show New Gesture in Support of Jess Carter After Opting Not to Take the Knee

The Lionesses’ substitutes stood arm-in-arm on the touchline ahead of their Euro 2025 match against Italy in a powerful show of solidarity with Jess Carter, choosing not to take the knee in protest against the “ridiculous and disgusting” racist abuse she has endured during the tournament.

Carter, 27, publicly addressed the abuse she has received throughout Euro 2025 on Sunday, announcing her decision to step away from social media. The Football Association is currently working alongside UK police to identify those responsible for the offensive and hateful messages.

The England squad, deeply angered by the abuse suffered by their teammate, convened on Saturday evening and collectively decided not to take the knee prior to kick-off – a symbolic anti-racism gesture the team has consistently performed in recent years. Instead, they sought a new way to make a stronger, action-focused statement.

Although Carter was ready to play against Italy, she was named among Sarina Wiegman’s substitutes, with Esme Morgan selected in the starting line-up. Nevertheless, as the match commenced in Geneva, Carter and her fellow substitutes stood united arm-in-arm on the sideline in a new gesture of defiance and unity.

Midfielder Georgia Stanway explained the team's decision:

"We've decided not to take the knee because we want more action to be made. We want to create more of a talking point and a point to make more change.

“That starts with social media and people having access to be able to do certain things. So our stance and opinion stay the same, and that's what we've decided as a collective."

Stanway also noted that the situation had brought the squad closer together, and strongly condemned those responsible for the online abuse:

“It’s brought us together as a team. People who are posting abuse on social media towards players — they are not fans.”

England manager Sarina Wiegman supported the players' stance and confirmed there was no obligation on the team to deliver a public message before the match:

“They don't need a message. The team came together really well.

“We spoke about it — everyone wants to perform, but we also wanted to address this and send a message to the world. It says a lot about the team."

Wiegman is aiming to guide England to their third consecutive major tournament final, having previously led the side to the finals of Euro 2022 and the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Only Italy now stand in their way as the Lionesses seek to defend their European title on Sunday.