England’s women’s football team, the Lionesses, have decided to stop taking the knee before matches at Euro 2025, saying the gesture has lost its impact in the fight against racism. This decision comes after defender Jess Carter was racially abused on social media following a match. The players and the Football Association (FA) agreed that a new approach is needed to tackle racism in football and beyond.
However, the move has been met with criticism from anti-racism groups. Piara Powar, head of the international watchdog Fare, expressed disappointment. He emphasized that taking the knee remains a powerful symbol of anti-racism and questioned the logic of stopping it in response to online abuse. According to Powar, symbolic actions are still vital, especially when racism is so visible.
The online abuse of Jess Carter has renewed calls for regulation of social media platforms. The UK’s Online Safety Act, passed in 2023, gives Ofcom the power to hold platforms accountable for harmful content, but campaigners say there’s been little visible enforcement. Powar believes Ofcom must now act and ensure that social media platforms take responsibility for racist abuse.
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Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also condemned the abuse and said there is no place for racism in football or society. He reiterated that the government is looking at additional measures to make platforms safer. Sanjay Bhandari from Kick It Out added that online racism has worsened, and platforms have failed to keep pace with the problem, calling for stronger tools to remove harmful content.
The decision by the Lionesses to stop taking the knee has sparked a wider conversation about how best to tackle racism in sport. Shaista Aziz, co-director of anti-racism group The Three Hijabis, said the team’s move was bold. She argued that the symbolic gesture has been hijacked by critics who label it part of “woke culture,” and that the players are reclaiming the conversation by seeking more effective action.
Jess Carter, who has started in every Euro 2025 game for England, has had a mixed tournament, facing criticism for her performances, especially in the opener against France and the quarter-final against Sweden. Following the Sweden match, she received racist abuse online a sadly familiar pattern in women’s football. Similar abuse was directed at Lauren James during the 2023 Women’s World Cup and again during the Women’s Super League season.
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In response to Carter’s situation, some players and the FA raised the issue again publicly. The Lionesses have often shown unity in the face of racism, and this latest action reflects their ongoing commitment to challenging discrimination even if it means changing their approach.
Meanwhile, England coach Sarina Wiegman faces a selection dilemma ahead of the semi-final against Italy. Carter’s place is under scrutiny, not just due to form but also because of the rising abuse she has faced. Esme Morgan, who impressed in the quarter-final, is a strong contender to start. Wiegman must weigh team performance against player wellbeing.
The focus now shifts to what new forms of protest or advocacy the Lionesses and football authorities will adopt in place of taking the knee. Many agree that whatever replaces it must send a clear, strong message: racism will not be tolerated on or off the pitch.
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