Sarina Wiegman has confirmed that Jess Carter will be available for Tuesday’s crucial Euros semi-final clash against Italy, while also condemning the ‘disgusting and vile’ racism directed at her player.
Carter announced on Monday that she was stepping away from social media after receiving ‘a lot’ of racial abuse online. Meanwhile, the Lionesses have confirmed they will no longer take the knee, instead aiming to create a new statement that sparks ‘conversation and change’.
Wiegman said: ‘Although it is a hard situation, Jess is a very strong person and she wants to move on too. She also felt – as we did – that we had to address this.
‘You can’t just let it go, so we didn’t. And then we know that there’s a match going on. We’re ready to perform. She’s ready to perform and compete, and that says a lot about her and the team.’
Asked how it felt as a manager to deal with such a situation, Wiegman replied: ‘It’s really sad that we have to be occupied by this. It is ridiculous and disgusting what is happening and that goes beyond football.
‘Of course, she’s not the only one who gets this abuse or racism. That’s why she wanted to address it and she’s fully supported by the team.’
Jess Carter is available for England’s semi-final despite stepping away from social media after receiving ‘a lot’ of racial abuse online
England boss Sarina Wiegman condemned the ‘disgusting and vile’ racism directed at Carter
England have confirmed they will stop taking the knee and will create a new statement
England midfielder Georgia Stanway, 26, added: ‘If anything it has probably brought us together as a team.
‘There’s some things that we will never be able to understand, and that’s one of those.
‘We need to cut it out of society and football. We don’t know the steps that it takes in order for that to happen, but right now all we can do is show our support, our togetherness, and we can be united in what we want to make sure is right.’
Their semi-final opponents joined in their support for Carter, with Italy manager Andrea Soncin saying that the players will discuss a ‘possible gesture’ to show their solidarity on Monday night.
‘There is the greatest of solidarity to her and towards anyone suffering violence and abuse. It should not be tolerated,’ the 46-year-old said.
‘We have a responsibility with the position we are in to send the right messages, we need to give education messages, including to children, it is a cultural campaign, a cultural battle.
‘I don’t know if getting on the knee is enough, but we are ready to take part in any campaign to help this.’
Semi-final opponents Italy are set to discuss a possible gesture to show solidarity
Captain Leah Williamson will be fit to face Italy after overcoming an ankle injury
Meanwhile, Wiegman also confirmed that captain Leah Williamson, who suffered an ankle injury during the quarter-final with Sweden, is available.
‘She did everything she can to recover as quickly as possible and she has,’ she added.
England will face Italy in the Euros semi-final at the Stade de Genève on Tuesday evening, with kick-off at 8pm.
