England star Georgia Stanway issues warning to 'fake fans' before Euro 2025 semi-final
Georgia Stanway issued a stark warning to 'fake fans' following the vile racist online media abuse targeted at England teammate Jess Carter at Euro 2025.
The midfielder, 26, noted that anyone engaging in harmful and racist abuse of players should not be considered a fan of the game, as the footballing community has banded together in support for Carter over the past 24 hours.
It comes on the eve of a semi-final against Italy for the Lionesses, with Sarina Wiegman's squad looking to book their spot in a third successive major final with victory in Geneva.
Stanway admitted that the incident has created a newfound vulnerability in the England squad ahead of the game, with the entire team united in their beliefs and support of each other.
"It's brought us together as a team," she said. "The most important thing is that Jess has the power to speak out and it's not on her own, she has the whole power of the Lionesses, the staff and the FA. That's the beauty of football, that if we want to make change we can do it as a collective and as a collective we are way more powerful.
"The people who are doing and saying these things do not deserve to be called fans. We know that we're pulling that shirt on for the actual fans who are here to enjoy the game and I say that with power because I really deserve it."
Stanway further defended England's decision to not take the knee in their remaining Euro 2025 matches.
Taking the knee has become a statement against racism in the sporting world in the last few years, but following the recent abuse against Carter, England have announced that they will not make the gesture in their semi-final against Italy on Tuesday.
Earlier today, the head of football's international anti-discrimination