Jess Carter’s Reflections on Penalty Shootout
Jess Carter expressed that she felt a sense of relief knowing that Lauren James wasn’t the sole England player to falter in the penalty shootout against Sweden, a match that secured England’s advancement to the Women’s European Championship final. During the tournament, Carter endured online racist harassment, and she worried that James would face intense backlash if she had been the only one to miss a penalty. Ultimately, other players including Beth Mead, Alex Greenwood, and Grace Clinton, all of whom are white, also missed their shots, allowing the Lionesses to continue on to the final, where they triumphed over Spain in another tense shootout.
Unique Pressures Faced by Black Players
In her comments to ITN, Carter lamented the difficult realities of being a Black player in such high-stakes situations, revealing,
“It’s terrible to say, but I felt a sense of relief when others that aren’t Black also missed penalties. The level of racism aimed at LJ would have been overwhelming had she been the only one to fail.”
This insight highlights the unique pressures Black players face, as they are acutely aware of the disproportionate response to their mistakes compared to their white teammates.
Emotional Turmoil and Performance Anxiety
Carter recalled her own emotional turmoil, particularly when England’s coach Sarina Wiegman announced that she was set to start in the final.
“That was the first time I actually felt scared—so scared that I might not perform well,”
she admitted. The fear stemmed from the high stakes of the match and the potential abuse she might face, whether it be related to her performance on the field or the racial abuse she had already endured.
The Impact of Abuse
Reflecting on the toll this abuse takes, Carter stated it leaves one feeling insignificant and questioning their worth.
“It’s a horrible feeling that makes you feel small, as if you’re not valuable. It’s disheartening and can severely impact your confidence when you return to play,”
she shared. Her loved ones were equally affected by the abuse she endured, deepening her distress.
Addressing Online Harassment
In response to the dire issue of online harassment, Mark Bullingham, the chief executive of the Football Association, announced that they had reported the severe abuse to the appropriate authorities during the tournament, emphasizing the need for a firm stance against such discrimination.
