** Lionesses United: England's Squad Shows Solidarity Amid Euro 2025 Controversy **

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England's women's football team made a collective statement before their Euro 2025 semi-final against Italy, choosing to stand united rather than take the knee, in a show of support for teammate Jess Carter. The Lionesses' substitutes stood arm-in-arm on the touchline, rallying behind Carter, who has faced online racist abuse throughout the tournament.

The decision to forgo taking the knee was announced by the team on Sunday, following Carter's revelation of the racist abuse she had endured on social media. The anti-racism gesture, inspired by Colin Kaepernick's protest in 2016, was adopted by the Lionesses during Euro 2022 and the 2023 Women's World Cup. However, the team stated that they believed "another way to tackle racism" was needed.

England manager Sarina Wiegman expressed her views on the matter to BBC Sport, stating, "Taking the knee, that's not enough. We have done that for a while. The impact is not good enough." She further explained that the team felt compelled to make a different statement in response to the racism directed at Carter.

Carter, a defender for Gotham FC, was named among the substitutes, with Esme Morgan starting in central defense alongside captain Leah Williamson. The semi-final took place at Stade de Geneve, where sections of the crowd sang Carter's song and applauded in the 16th minute, in solidarity with the defender, whose squad number is 16.

Italian defender Cecilia Salvai acknowledged that her team was "open and willing to do anything necessary" regarding a potential gesture, but the Italian players did not join the Lionesses' display of unity.

The match's victor will advance to the final against either Spain or Germany, scheduled for Sunday, 27 June, at Basel's St Jakob-Park.

The Lionesses' decision to stand united and forgo taking the knee has sparked debate, with former England striker Ian Wright expressing his personal views on the matter. Wright, speaking to ITV, acknowledged that while he would take the knee if still playing, he felt the decision was a "personal thing" and that the gesture was "always forced on people."

The international anti-discrimination body, Fare, has also questioned the team's decision, highlighting the ongoing conversation surrounding racism in football.