A man who directed racially abusive messages at England defender Jess Carter during the 2022 Women’s European Championship has been sentenced to six weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months. The individual admitted to sending the offensive messages via social media while the tournament was underway.
In addition to the suspended jail term, the court imposed a four-year football banning order, restricting the man from attending matches. He was also sentenced to complete 10 days of community service and adhere to a three-month curfew. These measures reflect the seriousness with which authorities are treating online hate crimes, particularly those targeting athletes.
Jess Carter, 28, reported receiving the racist abuse on her TikTok account during the Women’s Euros, a competition England ultimately won by defeating Spain in a penalty shootout in the final. The incident prompted police to arrest the man in August, highlighting the ongoing efforts to combat racism in sports and social media platforms.
In a significant development, John Moran from the Crown Prosecution Service emphasized that this case serves as a clear warning to individuals who engage in hateful conduct online. He stated that such behavior will not be tolerated and that perpetrators spreading hate, whether on or off the field, will face legal consequences. This ruling underscores the commitment to protecting players from abuse and promoting respect within the football community.
