Man who racially abused Jess Carter sentenced

A man who sent racially abusive messages on social media about England footballer Jess Carter has been sentenced to six weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months.

Nigel Dewale, 60, made the comments under his username "Bogeyman" during the Women's Euro 2025 tournament in which England successfully defended their trophy.

The messages included a derogatory reference to Carter's race and made baseless claims of a link between race and crimes including murder and grooming.

Dewale, of Great Harwood, Lancashire, was also sentenced to 10 days' community work, given a four-year football banning order, a three-month curfew, and fined £239 at Blackburn Magistrates' Court.

At a previous hearing, Dewale admitted sending a malicious message via a public communications network between 19 and 23 June 2025.

He also admitted the possession of an offensive weapon, namely an extendable baton, in a private place in February.

Central defender Carter plays her club football in the United States for Gotham FC in the National Women's Soccer League, having previously represented Chelsea and Birmingham City in the UK.

The 28-year-old, from Warwick, previously said she was stepping away from social media after she was subjected to racist abuse online during last year's Women's Euros.

The court heard Dewale was "in drink" at home when he responded to a news article about police investigating online racial abuse received by Carter following England's games against France and Sweden in the tournament.

In addition to making racist comments, he wrote: "Women's football is diabolical. Should not be on national TV" and "Waste of airtime".

FA chief executive Mark Bullingham released a statement condemning the "disgusting racism" faced by Carter in the wake of July's abuse.

The court was told Carter decided to stop looking at social media last summer and hand control of her accounts over to her sister.

The abuse left Carter feeling anxious and not wanting to leave her hotel, the court heard.

Lancashire Police said the UK Football Policing Unit (UKFPU) traced the messages to Dewale, who was arrested in August.

The UKFPU said Dewale admitted making the comments when interviewed.

Cheshire's Chief Constable Mark Roberts, the National Police Chiefs' Council's football policing lead, said: "[Dewale's] comments were totally abhorrent, they caused emotional distress for Miss Carter and her family, and I welcome the sentence handed to him today."

The FA welcomed the the decision of the court "to hold Nigel Dewale to account for the disgusting messages to Jess Carter".

A spokesperson said: "We are determined to assist the police and authorities in ensuring anyone responsible for such vile hate is made to face justice."

Sport England chairman Chris Boardman also said: "For too long, online misogyny and racism have gone unchecked by big tech.

"But consequences create change, and today's sentence sends a clear message: we value women's sport, the toxic abuse of female athletes will not be tolerated, and there will be consequences."