Abuse rising in girls’s soccer, says England’s Lucy Bronze

Bronze said Sarina Wiegman’s squad held meetings before the tournament to discuss abuse and how it has become a “huge factor specifically in women’s football”.

Before travelling to Switzerland, England striker Alessia Russo spoke of preferring to stay off social media because of how “damaging” the abuse can be.

And Chelsea forward Lauren James, who received racist abuse during the 2023 Women’s World Cup and the following Women’s Super League season, has said abuse “never really stops”.

Their comments came after British tennis player Katie Boulter spoke to BBC Sport about being subjected to online abuse and death threats.

In 2021, football clubs, players and sporting bodies began a four-day boycott of social media platforms to tackle abuse and discrimination.

And Bronze said she hoped that by standing before kick-off instead of taking a knee “noise will be reached around the world”.

“We know the people higher up are the ones who can ultimately put in things to make change. But I think we know we’re never helpless as players,” she added.

“Our voices are loud enough to be heard by people around the world, whether that’s social media platforms or federations like Uefa and Fifa.

“That’s something we’re very proud of as a Lionesses team, that we’ve created this voice and a platform so we can reach the highest of heights. We’re willing to use that platform and that voice to make differences.”

“People need to be held accountable,” she added and also called for more action from social media platforms.

On team-mate Carter’s attempt stand-up to racist abuse and to call it out publicly, Bronze said: “For her to speak out is so empowering to our whole team in general, especially to the likes of someone like Michelle [Agyemang] who is in her first tournament.

“It gives people more power to be brave, stand up and speak up and see all the team-mates and the country are behind [Carter]. That means a lot in moments like this.

“A lot of players have known that this has always been an issue in football. To hear Jess talking about it yesterday, we’re all just so disappointed in so-called fans writing these messages.

“For Jess herself, she probably wouldn’t put it out to the world, but it’s obviously difficult for her to go through. We know it’s not just Jess as well.”