Nigel Dewale admitted to sending a grossly offensive message via a public communications network, targeting Jess Carter during the tournament. Police described the messages as 'disgusting and appalling', highlighting the severity of the abuse. The UK Football Policing Unit launched an investigation into several malicious and hateful social media messages sent to Carter, with detectives tracing some of the messages to Dewale's home.
The exact racist content of the messages and the number sent over what time period remain unclear, but the investigation led to legal action. Dewale was sentenced to six weeks in custody suspended for 12 months, though the specific date of the sentencing and any additional charges beyond the admitted offense have not been disclosed. Mark Roberts, Cheshire Police Chief Constable and NPCC lead for football policing, stated that Dewale sent hateful and malicious messages thinking he could hide behind his account name, with his comments being totally abhorrent and causing emotional distress for Carter and her family, and welcomed the guilty plea.
A lot of stuff doesn't really bother me, so [it took a lot] for me to feel like I needed to speak up and for people to know about it.
He added that hate crime online or in person is not acceptable and you cannot hide behind a social media profile to post vile comments and spread hate, emphasizing that everyone is responsible for what they do and say, and posting a message on social media is no different. Jess Carter featured in all six of England's matches at the Euros in Switzerland, contributing to the team's success. She opened up on the abuse after lifting the trophy, with the Lionesses having beat Spain on penalties.
According to Daily Mirror - Main, Jess Carter described that a lot of stuff doesn't really bother her, so it took a lot for her to feel like she needed to speak up and for people to know about it. She also noted, according to the same source, that she felt like she needed a bit of support and extra TLC from her team, which she doesn't usually need. Carter further explained, according to Daily Mirror - Main, that she's not saying it's going to make a big difference or change, but hopefully it makes people aware that it's not okay, as racism is still going on, and players are just there to do their job to the best of their ability and bring success back to England.
I felt like I needed a bit of support and a bit of extra TLC from my team, that I don't usually need.
She added, according to Daily Mirror - Main, that she understands everyone has opinions on how they play, but the colour of her skin has nothing to do with that. Actions taken by social media platforms regarding the messages have not been specified.
I'm not saying it's going to make a big difference or make a change, but hopefully make people aware that it's not okay. Racism is still going on, and we're just here to do our job to the best of our ability and hopefully bring success back to England. That's what we all try and do every time we put the badge on.
I understand everyone has got their own opinions on how we play - trust me, no one is more disappointed in some of my performances than I am - but the colour of my skin has nothing to do with that.