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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Suzanne Wrack

If not taking the knee, then what? Football needs to figure out how best to fight racism

England players, including Jess Carter and the other substitutes, link arms before the game againsy Italy
England players, including Jess Carter (centre, facing away) and the other substitutes, link arms before the game againsy Italy, but the action was easy to miss. Photograph: Nick Potts/PA

Searching for ways to wield power when you ultimately have none is hard. The decision of the Lionesses to use their most powerful tool, their collective profile and voice, which is amplified during a major tournament, to support Jess Carter after her decision to speak out about the racist abuse she has received during the Women’s Euro 2025 was a brave one.

They should be applauded because in their statement and collective action there is an attempt to go beyond condemnation of racism to demanding real change and grappling with what that looks like and how you do it – all while trying to win a second major tournament trophy.

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