England’s Lionesses Change Pre-match Stance After Racist Abuse

Don’t expect nan Lionesses to return a knee earlier their Euro semifinal crippled against Italy connected Tuesday, July 22. The women’s squad representing England said Sunday, July 20, they will not return a knee against racism owed to attacks connected subordinate Jess Carter.

The Gotham FC prima posted on her Instagram account, “From nan commencement of nan tourney I person knowledgeable a batch of group abuse. Whilst I consciousness each instrumentality is entitled to their sentiment connected capacity and consequence I don’t work together aliases deliberation it’s OK to target someone’s quality aliases race. As a consequence of this I will beryllium taking a measurement backmost from societal media and leaving it to a squad to woody with.”

Her national team added, “We guidelines pinch Jess and each Lionesses players past and coming who person suffered racism.” 

“Until now, we person chosen to return nan knee earlier matches,” nan squad adds. ”It is clear we and shot request to find different measurement to tackle racism. We person agreed arsenic a squad to stay opinionated earlier kick-off connected Tuesday.”

According to Sky Sports, nan 27-year-old revealed she has been nan taxable of racist slurs since nan tourney began. The squad stated that they are collaborating pinch nan Football Association (FA) and nan United Kingdom constabulary to place those responsible for nan societal media posts. 

Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer wrote connected X, “There is nary spot for racism successful shot aliases anyplace successful society. I guidelines pinch Jess, nan Lionesses, and immoderate players who person suffered racism, connected and disconnected nan pitch.”

The Independent reports nan squad has taken a knee ever since nan execution of George Floyd successful 2020.  

This is not nan first clip nan FA has dealt pinch issues of racism against its English players. 

“Regrettably, this is not nan first clip this has happened to an England player, truthful we had measures successful spot to let america to respond quickly and wherever imaginable supply accusation to support immoderate imaginable constabulary action,” FA Chief Executive Mark Bullingham told nan Independent. “We will proceed to talk pinch nan applicable authorities and societal media companies astir what much tin and should beryllium done to forestall this abhorrent abuse.”