A man has confessed to sending offensive racist messages to England women’s footballer Jess Carter via social media during Euro 2025 last summer.
Nigel Dewale, aged 59, acknowledged sending derogatory and hurtful messages to the professional footballer during a court appearance. The police had previously condemned these messages as “shocking and disgraceful.”
Dewale, residing in Great Harwood, Lancs, admitted to one charge of sending malicious communications and possessing a weapon in a private location during his appearance at Blackburn magistrates. His sentencing is scheduled for March 25.
Carter, aged 28, was a member of the victorious Lionesses squad that defended their title last summer.
During the Women’s Euros in July last year, the UK Football Policing Unit initiated an investigation into multiple malicious and hateful social media messages directed at England defender Carter.
Following a trace of the messages to Dewale’s residence, he was apprehended in August and subsequently charged.
Cheshire Police Chief Constable Mark Roberts, the NPCC lead for football policing, emphasized the accountability of individuals for their online actions, highlighting that hate crimes, whether online or offline, are unacceptable.
PC Dan Fish, a dedicated football officer at Lancashire Police, condemned Dewale’s abhorrent messages, affirming zero tolerance towards hate in any form and emphasizing the commitment to identifying and holding hate crime perpetrators accountable.
The Football Association spokesperson expressed gratitude towards law enforcement for their diligent handling of the case, emphasizing the organization’s support for Carter and all England players affected by online abuse.
In response to the incident, Carter shared her challenges following the semi-final against Italy last summer, stressing the importance of speaking out against racism and discriminatory behavior.
The player expressed appreciation for the overwhelming support received and highlighted the significance of taking a stand to combat such unacceptable conduct.
Carter’s statement underscored the need to address racism and discrimination, aiming to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all individuals, both in sports and society.
The player’s message resonated with a call for unity and empowerment, emphasizing the importance of speaking out against hateful actions to foster a more tolerant and respectful community.