A man has pleaded guilty to sending “totally abhorrent” social media messages to England defender Jess Carter during last summer’s Euros.
Nigel Dewale, of Great Harwood in Lancashire, entered a guilty plea to one charge of malicious communications and possession of a weapon in a private place at Blackburn Magistrates Court on Friday.
The admission comes after the UK Football Policing Unit (UKFPU) launched an investigation last July into abuse directed at Carter.
Detectives traced some of the messages to Dewale's home and he was arrested on August 28 and subsequently charged.
Dewale is due to be sentenced on March 25 at Blackburn Magistrates Court.
Cheshire Chief Constable Mark Roberts, the football policing lead for the National Police Chiefs' Council, said: "Everyone is responsible for what they do and say, and posting a message on social media is no different.
"In this case, Dewale sent hateful and malicious messages, thinking that he would be able to hide behind his account name.
"His comments were totally abhorrent, they caused emotional distress for Miss Carter and her family and I welcome the guilty plea entered today.
"We have been clear that hate crime online or in person, is not acceptable and as we have shown in this case, you cannot hide behind a social media profile to post vile comments and spread hate."
A Football Association spokesperson said: "We acknowledge today's news from Blackburn Magistrates' Court that Nigel Dewale of Great Harwood has admitted sending abusive and discriminatory social media messages to England player Jess Carter in July 2025, with sentencing to follow on March 25. The case sends a clear message that this unacceptable behaviour will not be tolerated, whether in person or online, and that these actions have real-life consequences.
"We thank the UK Football Policing Unit and the local Dedicated Football Officer for their diligent approach throughout this case. Our priority remains supporting Jess and all of our England players who continue to be impacted by disgusting online abuse. We are committed to working closely with the police and the relevant authorities to ensure that perpetrators are held to account."
Carter spoke to ITV News last year about the impact the abuse had on her.
"It makes you feel really small," she said.
"It makes you feel like you're not important, that you're not valuable.
"It makes you second guess everything that you do - it's not a nice place to be. It doesn't make me feel confident going back onto the pitch. My family was so devastated by it as well and so sad."
England went on to lift the Euro 2025 trophy in Switzerland, with Carter starting and playing the whole game of the final penalty shoot-out win over Spain.
