Arjun Menon
Cheshire Police have confirmed a second arrest in connection with online racial abuse directed at England defender Jess Carter during this summer’s UEFA Women’s Euro 2025.
On Tuesday, 2 September, a 30-year-old man from Ripley, Derbyshire, was arrested on suspicion of Malicious Communications. He has since been released on bail as investigations continue.
This development follows the arrest of a 59-year-old man last week, who was released under investigation. Both arrests relate to abusive social media messages targeting Carter during the tournament, which saw England lift the trophy after a dramatic final win over Spain.
Jess Carter Stepped Away from Social Media
During Euro 2025, Carter publicly revealed she had received racist abuse online while in Switzerland. In response, she announced her decision to step away from social media for the remainder of the tournament — a decision met with widespread support from fans and teammates alike.
Jess Carter. Source: independent.co.uk
Police Reinforce Zero Tolerance
Chief Constable Mark Roberts of Cheshire Constabulary issued a firm statement condemning the abuse:
“Nobody should be subjected to such disgusting abuse, and we want to make it clear that racist abuse of this nature will not be tolerated. Everyone is responsible for what they do and say, and we want to ensure offenders cannot hide behind a social media profile to post vile comments.”
The arrests highlight growing efforts by UK police to hold individuals accountable for online hate — especially when directed at professional athletes representing their country on the international stage.
A Wider Conversation in Football
The incident has once again sparked discussions around social media accountability and the need for stricter regulation in protecting players from abuse — particularly women and players of colour.
As the England women’s squad continues to inspire on the pitch, the expectation is equally clear off it: racism has no place in football.
Stay tuned for updates as the investigation progresses and as governing bodies, clubs, and law enforcement push to ensure a safer environment for all athletes — online and on the pitch.