Women’s Euro 2025 live: Lionesses respond to Jess Carter abuse and Leah Williamson injury latest | OneFootball

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Lucy Bronze offers full support to Jess Carter after racist abuse: 'The abuse is not okay. Racism is not okay'

England are building up to their Euro 2025 semi-final against Italy and will reveal an update on the fitness of captain Leah Williamson before travelling to Geneva as they look to return to the final.

Williamson was forced off with an ankle injury during England’s dramatic quarter-final win over Sweden but the Lionesses are “very optimistic” that the defender will be available.

It remains to be seen if Williamson will take part in England’s training session this morning, while manager Sarina Wiegman will also give an update in her press conference later this evening.

The Lionesses are continuing to support Jess Carter after the defender revealed she has been receiving racist abuse since the start of Euro 2025.

England’s players will not take the knee before Tuesday’s semi-final and want stronger action from the FA over the abuse suffered by Carter, with some players pushing for a boycott of social media.

Statement from anti-discrimination group Kick It Out

Anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out said it backed the Lionesses and would “support players in whatever actions they choose” following the racist abuse suffered by Jess Carter.

“We send our support to Jess Carter and back her decision to look after her own well-being. It shouldn’t come to a point where players feel the need to take this action; they should feel safe while doing their jobs. They should not be exposed to this sickening behaviour, and those responsible should face the strongest possible consequences.

“But responsibility also lies with social media companies. We support players in whatever actions they choose to take to signify their support in the fight against racism, but the focus should be on the reason behind those actions rather than the actions themselves.

“Social media companies have failed to prevent exposure to this toxicity, and football must continue to use its collective power to hold them to account. We have been working with the government and the regulator, but we know that more urgency is needed from everyone involved.”

Lucy Bronze on taking the knee: 'Is the message as strong as it used to be?'

Lucy Bronze said England have taken the collective decision to not take the knee before Tuesday’s semi-final against Italy, with the Lionesses saying in a statement that “we and football need to find another way to tackle racism”.

“It was driven by the group - obviously certain individuals more than others,” Bronze explained. “I think it was just the fact that we feel as a collective, is the message 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.

“It's about putting another statement out there to say, it's something that still is a problem, it’s something that still needs to be put right. More needs to be done in football, more needs to be done in society. What that is right now as an individual, I don't exactly know.”

(The FA via Getty Images)

Fifa president Gianni Infantino 'saddened' by abuse of Jess Carter

Gianni Infantino says he is “deeply saddened” by the online racist abuse directed at England’s Jess Carter at Euro 2025 and promised Fifa will share data with the relevant authorities to identify the culprits.

“I am deeply saddened to see the online abuse directed at England’s Jess Carter during the ongoing Women’s Euro tournament. There is no place for racism in football or in society,” he said.

“We stand with Jess. We stand with every player and every individual who has suffered from racist abuse.

“No player should be discriminated against in any way, they should be free to be at their very best on the pitch.

“Through FIFA’s Social Media Protection Service, we have helped tackle such abuse across multiple tournaments. We will continue to collaborate and support confederations, FIFA Member Associations and their players.

“In this instance, we will be offering our support with any further action required, as well as sharing data for appropriate action to be taken against any perpetrators.”

Lionesses confirm plan to stop taking the knee before kick-off

The Lionesses have collectively agreed they will not be “taking the knee”, a symbolic anti-racism gesture, before they play Italy in the Euro 2025 semi-final on Tuesday.

England have taken the knee before all four matches at the Euros and have performed the anti-racism gesture ever since the murder of George Floyd in 2020.

“We stand with Jess and all Lionesses players past and present who have suffered racism,” a team statement read. “No one should have to endure such vile abuse, be that in football or any walk of life.

“Representing our country is the greatest honour. It is not right that while we are doing that, some of us are treated differently simply because of the colour of our skin.

“Until now, we have chosen to take the knee before matches. It is clear we and football need to find another way to tackle racism. We have agreed as a squad to remain standing before kick-off on Tuesday.

“We hope the game can come together to see what more can be done. For now, we will return our total focus to an important semi-final. In the meantime, we know the FA are working with UK police and the appropriate bodies.

“Those behind this online poison must be held accountable.”

(Getty Images)

Jess Carter's statement after suffering racist abuse at Euro 2025

“From the start of the tournament I have experienced a lot of racial abuse.

“Whilst I feel every fan is entitled to their opinion on performance and result I don’t agree or think it’s OK to target someone’s appearance or race.

“As a result of this I will be taking a step back from social media and leaving it to a team to deal with.

“As ever I am grateful for all of the support from the genuine fans but I am taking this measure to protect myself in a bid to keep my focus on helping the team anyway I can.

“Hopefully speaking out will make the people writing this abuse think twice so that others won’t have to deal with it. We have made some historic changes with this Lionesses squad that I am so proud to be a part of and my hope is that by speaking out about this it will make another positive change for all.

“I’m now looking forward and focusing on putting all of my energy into helping my team.”

(The FA via Getty Images)