England’s Farewell to the Knee Amidst Racist Outcry

Here’s a revamped article for archyde.com, focusing on uniqueness and a slightly different angle while staying true to the original content:

Lionesses star Jess carter Faces Racist Abuse Online, Team and Authorities Respond Swiftly

London, UK – England and Chelsea defender Jess Carter has become the latest high-profile athlete to be targeted with horrific racist abuse on social media, sparking widespread condemnation and calls for action from her teammates, football governing bodies, and even law enforcement. the incidents, which surfaced following England’s recent Euro 2022 matches, have highlighted the persistent issue of online hate within the sporting world.

Carter, a key player for Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses, having started all four of England’s Euro fixtures in Switzerland, shared her experience and a powerful message of resilience. “I’m 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,” she stated, demonstrating a commitment to her sport despite the reprehensible attacks.The abuse appears to have intensified following England’s performances, with Carter acknowledging difficulties faced during matches. In the 2-1 defeat against France, she admitted that both she and fellow full-back Lucy Bronze struggled against the French wingers.”It felt like they could go wherever they wanted,” Carter remarked, a candid assessment of a tough evening on the pitch. The 27-year-old also acknowledged a lapse in possession against Sweden that led to an opposition goal, a moment for which she was substituted in the 70th minute.

Though, the focus has firmly shifted from on-field performance to the online vitriol directed at Carter. Her teammates and the wider england squad have rallied around her, sharing her statement on social media in a clear show of solidarity.Head coach Sarina Wiegman issued a strong statement of support, declaring, “I stand with Jess, and all lionesses players past and present who have suffered racism.”

The severity and frequency of such attacks have not gone unnoticed. Arsenal player Lotte Wubben-Moy voiced her frustration and disgust, stating, “Another tournament goes by where we see the same nauseating racist abuse. It’s unacceptable for any person to be subject to this or any kind of abuse. This issue goes beyond sport. But what is being done about it? In society? On the very platforms we post on? I will not continue to feed the very platforms that enable this abuse with no consequences.” Wubben-Moy’s impassioned plea underscores a growing sentiment within the sport demanding greater accountability from social media companies.

UEFA has joined the chorus of support, emphasizing its zero-tolerance policy towards abuse. “Abuse and discrimination should never be tolerated, whether in football or society, in person or online,” a spokesperson for the institution stated. UEFA has been proactive in developing an online abuse program to monitor and address such cases during its tournaments.

Support has also extended beyond european football. The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), Carter’s club Gotham, and the NWSL Players association (NWSL PA) have unequivocally denounced the racist abuse. The NWSL PA’s statement was particularly firm: “…We will not allow abuse of any kind to be normalised, minimised, or ignored.”

In the UK, the Football Association (The FA) has taken concrete steps, confirming contact with UK police and engagement with relevant social media platforms. FA CEO Mark Bullingham condemned the perpetrators, stating, “Regrettably, this is not the first time this has happened to an England player, so we had measures in place to allow us to respond quickly and where possible provide information to support any potential police action.” This proactive approach acknowledges a recurring problem and the need for swift, robust responses.

The article also reveals that the England team had proactively discussed the impact of social media, both positive and negative, prior to the tournament. Senior players have shared their personal experiences, aiming to equip individuals with the knowledge to navigate the online landscape responsibly. moreover, complete support systems, including access to security and sports psychology teams, are in place for England players to help them cope with the pressures of elite sport and online harassment.

As the football world unites in condemning this latest act of racism, the hope remains that Jess Carter’s heroic stand will contribute to meaningful change, fostering a safer and more inclusive habitat for all athletes, both on and off the pitch.

Unique elements and changes made:

Headline: More direct and impactful, highlighting the key players and issues.
Lead Paragraph: A strong opening that sets the tone and context immediately.
Flow and Structure: Reorganized the information for a more narrative and engaging read. The initial quote is woven in more naturally.
Emphasis on Carter’s Voice: While the original article quotes her extensively, this version aims to frame her personal experience and resilience more prominently.
Integration of Quotes: Quotes are integrated into the narrative rather than just presented consecutively,creating a smoother flow.
Stronger Transitions: Used transition words and phrases to connect different sections and ideas more effectively.
Slightly Different Angle:** While covering all the core facts, it emphasizes the “swift response” from authorities and the proactive measures taken by the FA and the team, presenting a slightly more

What where the primary reasons for the decline in players taking a knee in English football matches?

The Symbolic Gesture and its Discontinuation

The act of players taking a knee before football matches, initially popularized by colin Kaepernick in the US as a protest against racial injustice and police brutality, became a prominent feature in English football following the murder of George Floyd in 2020. For a period, the gesture was widely adopted by Premier League, Championship, League One, and League Two teams, demonstrating solidarity with the Black lives Matter movement and raising awareness of systemic racism. However,by 2021,the practice began to wane,and now,in 2025,is largely absent from the pre-match routine. This shift hasn’t been organic; it’s been heavily influenced by a growing backlash, often fueled by racist sentiments and political pressure.

Understanding the Initial Support for Taking a Knee

Initially, the gesture received broad support from players, clubs, and even the Football Association (FA). Key motivations included:

Solidarity with Black Lives Matter: Players wanted to visibly demonstrate their support for the movement and its goals.

Raising Awareness: The act of taking a knee brought the issue of racial injustice to a wider audience, sparking conversations and prompting reflection.

Player Agency: Players felt empowered to use their platform to advocate for social change.

Global Movement: The gesture connected English football to a larger, international movement against racism.

This period saw significant engagement with anti-racism campaigns, educational initiatives, and pledges from clubs to improve diversity and inclusion. The Premier League prominently displayed “Black Lives matter” on shirts for a period,further amplifying the message.

The Rise of Opposition and racist Abuse

The turning point came with increasing opposition, primarily from sections of the fanbase. This opposition manifested in several ways:

Booing: Fans began booing players taking a knee,most notably during pre-season friendlies and early league matches. This was especially evident at matches involving Millwall and othre clubs.

Online Abuse: Players who continued to take a knee faced a barrage of racist abuse on social media platforms. this included targeted harassment,threats,and discriminatory language.

Political Intervention: Some politicians actively criticized the gesture, framing it as divisive or as supporting a political organization. This added fuel to the fire and emboldened those opposed to the protest.

perceived “Political Statement”: Arguments arose that football should remain apolitical, despite the inherent social and political context of the sport.

The booing incidents were widely condemned, but the underlying issues remained unresolved. The FA and clubs faced a challenging balancing act between supporting players’ rights to protest and addressing the concerns of fans.

The FA’s Stance and the Gradual Phase-Out

The FA initially defended the players’ right to take a knee, emphasizing the importance of fighting racism. However,as the booing and abuse continued,the FA’s stance softened. In 2021, the FA indicated that while players were not prohibited from taking a knee, it was up to individual teams to decide whether to continue the gesture.

This effectively signaled a gradual phase-out. Clubs, fearing further fan backlash and negative publicity, began to discourage players from taking a knee.By 2023, it had become increasingly rare, and in 2025, it is indeed almost entirely absent from Premier League and Championship matches. The FA’s reasoning centered on a desire to avoid further division and to focus on more “meaningful” anti-racism initiatives.

The Impact on Anti-Racism Efforts: A Step Backwards?

The cessation of taking a knee has been met with criticism from anti-racism campaigners, who argue that it represents a significant step backwards in the fight against racial injustice. Concerns include:

Normalization of Racism: The lack of visible protest may create a perception that racism is no longer a pressing issue.

Silencing Players: Players may feel less empowered to speak out against racism for fear of facing backlash.

Erosion of Solidarity: The gesture served as a powerful symbol of solidarity, and its absence weakens the collective effort to combat racism.

Focus Shift: The shift towards “meaningful initiatives