A man has confessed to sending offensive racist messages to England women’s footballer Jess Carter through social media during Euro 2025. Nigel Dewale, 59, acknowledged sending hateful and malicious messages to the professional footballer when he appeared in front of magistrates. The police previously characterized the messages as “disgusting and appalling.”
Dewale, residing in Great Harwood, Lancashire, admitted to one count of malicious communications and being in possession of a weapon in a private setting during his appearance at Blackburn magistrates. His sentencing is scheduled for March 25.
Last summer, Carter, 28, was a member of the successful Lionesses team that defended their title. An investigation was initiated by the UK Football Policing Unit in July last year during the Women’s Euros after several malicious and hateful messages were directed at England defender Carter. Detectives traced some of these messages back to Dewale’s residence, leading to his arrest in August and subsequent charges.
Mark Roberts, Cheshire Police Chief Constable and the NPCC lead for football policing, emphasized the accountability of individuals for their actions, whether online or in person. He condemned Dewale’s actions, stating they caused emotional distress to Miss Carter and her family. PC Dan Fish of Lancashire Police reiterated the zero-tolerance stance on hate crimes, emphasizing that individuals responsible for such actions will be identified and held accountable.
The Football Association spokesperson highlighted the acknowledgment of Dewale’s admission to sending abusive and discriminatory messages to Jess Carter, emphasizing that such behavior will not be tolerated, online or in person. The association expressed gratitude to the authorities for their efforts in addressing the issue and reiterated their commitment to supporting affected players.
Following the semi-final against Italy last summer, Carter shared her experience of facing racism and online abuse. She stressed the importance of speaking out against such behavior and expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support received. Carter emphasized the need to combat racism and discrimination, underlining the significance of representation and standing up against hate speech.