Man who racially abused England defender Jess Carter sentenced

A man who sent racially abusive messages to England defender Jess Carter on social media has been given a six-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.

Nigel Dewale, 60, directed the abuse at Carter via her TikTok account during the Women’s Euro 2025 tournament, in which England successfully defended their title.

The messages included derogatory references to Carter’s race and falsely suggested that people with brown skin were “murderers” and “groomers.”

Dewale, of Great Harwood in Lancashire, was also ordered to complete 10 days of community work, handed a four-year football banning order, placed under a three-month curfew, and fined £239 at Blackburn Magistrates’ Court.

At a previous hearing, Dewale admitted sending a malicious message via a public communications network between 19 and 23 June 2025. He also pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon — an extendable baton — in a private place in February.

Carter, 28, plays her club football in the United States for Gotham FC in the National Women’s Soccer League, having previously represented Chelsea and Birmingham City.

The defender, who is from Warwick, had earlier revealed she stepped away from social media after being subjected to racist abuse during last year’s Women’s Euros.

The court heard that Carter received abuse on TikTok following England’s matches against France and Sweden. The impact was significant, leaving her feeling anxious and reluctant to leave her hotel.

She subsequently handed control of her social media accounts to her sister.

The Football Association’s chief executive, Mark Bullingham, condemned the abuse, describing it as “disgusting racism.”

Lancashire Police said the UK Football Policing Unit traced the messages to Dewale, who was arrested in August.