𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

The Lionesses: “We stand with Jess and all Lionesses players past and present who have suffered racism. No one should have to endure such vile abuse, be that in football or any walk of life.

“Representing our country is the greatest honour. It is not right that while we are doing that, some of us are treated differently simply because of the colour of our skin.

“Until now, we have chosen to take the knee before matches. It is clear we and football need to find another way to tackle racism. We have agreed as a squad to remain standing before kick-off on Tuesday.

“We hope the game can come together to see what more can be done. For now, we will return our total focus to an important semi-final. In the meantime, we know the FA are working with UK police and the appropriate bodies. Those behind this online poison must be held accountable.”

The Euro 2025 semi-final takes place on Tuesday 22 July, with kick-off at 8pm UK time (BST) in Geneva.

England v Italy will be on ITV 1 and ITV X, with build-up starting from 7pm.

England defender Alex Greenwood believes taking the knee has “lost its purpose” and said the Lionesses want to stake a stand against racist abuse after Jess Carter revealed her ordeal at Euro 2025.

“We hope other organisations, and other teams, have the same feeling as us and also want to do something to make a change,” Greenwood said to BBC Radio 5 Live.

“But the responsibility lies with us in our team right now and what we’ve decided to do, we feel really passionate and strongly about.

“I know we can only do so much, but what we are capable of doing, we will continue to do.”

As England prepare for their Euro 2025 semi-final against Italy on Tuesday night, Sarina Wiegman knows she can rely on a 19-year-old striker who thrives when the Lionesses are in trouble.

Italy’s women’s national football team is one win from the European Championship final, a stark contrast to just three years ago when its players couldn’t even get professional contracts in their own country.

England defender Esme Morgan said Lucy Bronze’s warrior spirit is inspiring the Lionesses at Euro 2025, with the veteran’s “passion, energy and fight” spreading around the team as they prepare for Tuesday’s semi-final against Italy.

The right back is appearing at her seventh major tournament for England and with the Lionesses now through to their sixth consecutive semi-final, Morgan said Bronze remains as important as ever.

England have reached a sixth consecutive major tournament semi-final, the best run of results in their history. The Lionesses have won their last two semi-final appearances under Sarina Wiegman, at the 2023 World Cup and Euro 2022, but lost the previous three.

World Cup 2023: 3-1 vs Australia – W

Euro 2022: 4-0 vs Sweden – W

World Cup 2019: 1-2 vs United States – L

Euro 2017 – 0-3 vs Netherlands – L

World Cup 2015: 1-2 vs Japan – L

Around the England camp, there’s a different air. The squad insist they are fully focused on Tuesday’s Euro 2025 semi-final against Italy, but it’s not quite a case of drawing a line under the week’s big story, in the way that often happens in such situations. Certainly for games of this magnitude.

By contrast, many of the players want to use the occasion to draw attention to the stand they’re trying to make. They wanted to “send a message to the world,” in the words of Sarina Wiegman.

Leah Williamson was forced off during England’s win over Sweden on Thursday with an ankle injury but has recovered in time for the semi-final.

“It says she really wants to play,” Wiegman said after Williamson returned to training. “She did everything she can to recover as quickly as possible and she has. She trained today and it means she is available tomorrow.”

Georgia Stanway added: “Of course, she’s our captain and we’d like her on the pitch as much as possible.”

Georgia Stanway added that England felt taking the knee was “a little bit repetitive” and the Lionesses decided to “change it up” after Jess Carter suffered racist abuse.

“We felt it had come to a point where the knee isn’t doing what we wanted it to do,” she said. “Our decision is to stand, hopefully that brings more conversation, more change and gets the topic talking. “