England Lionesses Stop Taking Knee Amid Racial Abuse, Anti-Racism Group Criticizes

England's Lionesses have decided to stop taking the knee before Euro 2025 matches following racial abuse targeted at defender Jess Carter, who subsequently stepped away from social media to focus on her wellbeing. The team stated that while taking the knee is a powerful anti-racist gesture, it is clear that football and society need to find new ways to combat racism. This decision has drawn criticism from Piara Powar, executive director of the international anti-discrimination body Fare, who called the gesture a vital act of leadership and urged the UK regulator Ofcom to enforce the Online Safety Act against harmful social media content. The Football Association supports the Lionesses' choice, emphasizing the need for a different approach to spark conversation and change. The racial abuse highlights ongoing issues with social media platforms' responsibility to remove hateful content, although no public enforcement actions have yet been reported under the new Online Safety Act. Public commentary reflects mixed views, acknowledging the symbolic value of kneeling but recognizing its limits in eradicating deep-rooted racism.