Man admits racist abuse of footballer Jess Carter
A 60-year-old man has admitted sending abusive messages to English footballer Jess Carter on social media.
Nigel Dewale posted to Carter’s TikTok account during the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 tournament last summer, which the defending lionesses won.
The messages included derogatory remarks about Carter’s race and suggested that people with brown skin were “murderers” and “caretakers.”
Dewale, of Great Harwood in Lancashire, appeared at Blackburn Magistrates’ Court on Friday where he pleaded guilty to sending a malicious message via a public communications network between June 19 and 23 last year.
He also pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon, namely an extendable baton, in a private place in February.
Magistrates adjourned the case until March 25 for pre-sentence reports and warned Dewale, of Prospect Street, that all sentencing options were open, including prison.
Dewale was released on unconditional bail.
Central defender Carter plays club football for American team Gotham FC in the National Women’s Soccer League, having previously represented Chelsea and Birmingham City in the United Kingdom.
The 28-year-old, from Warwick, previously said he was stepping away from social media. He was subjected to racist abuse online during the tournament.
Lancashire Police said the UK Football Policing Unit launched an investigation in July and the messages were traced to Dewale, who was arrested in August.
Mark Roberts, Cheshire Police Chief Constable and national lead for football policing, said: “Dewale’s comments were completely disgusting and caused emotional distress to Ms Carter and her family and I welcome the criminal complaint made today.
“We have made it clear that hate crime, whether online or in person, is unacceptable, and as we have shown in this case, you cannot hide behind a social media profile to post vile comments and spread hate.”
