A man confessed to sending abhorrent racist messages to England women’s football player Jess Carter via social media during Euro 2025. Nigel Dewale, aged 59, acknowledged his actions in court, where he faced charges related to his offensive online behavior towards the professional athlete. Law enforcement officials previously condemned the content of the messages as repulsive and outrageous.
Hailing from Great Harwood, Lancs, Dewale pleaded guilty to one count of malicious communications and the possession of a weapon in a restricted area during his appearance at Blackburn magistrates. His sentencing is scheduled for March 25.
Jess Carter, aged 28, contributed to the victorious Lionesses team that successfully retained their title last season. In July of the same year, while the Women’s Euros were ongoing, the UK Football Policing Unit initiated an inquiry into a series of malicious and hateful online messages directed at the England defender. Investigators were able to trace some of the messages back to Dewale’s residence, leading to his arrest in August and subsequent legal charges.
Cheshire Police Chief Constable Mark Roberts, who oversees football policing for the NPCC, emphasized accountability in social media conduct, highlighting that Dewale’s offensive remarks had caused emotional distress to Miss Carter and her family. PC Dan Fish from Lancashire Police echoed the sentiment, condemning Dewale’s actions as intolerable and emphasizing the commitment to identifying and addressing hate crimes within the community.
The Football Association issued a statement acknowledging Dewale’s admission of sending abusive and discriminatory messages to Jess Carter, underscoring a zero-tolerance policy towards such behavior, whether online or in person. The FA expressed gratitude towards the law enforcement agencies involved and reaffirmed their support for players affected by online abuse, emphasizing collaboration with authorities to ensure accountability for perpetrators.
Reflecting on the incident after a semi-final match against Italy, Jess Carter shared her experiences of online harassment, stressing the importance of speaking out against racism and discrimination. She expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support from fans and highlighted the significance of standing up against hate to create a more inclusive and empowering environment for future generations.