Teenager denies sending racist Instagram message to England defender Jess Carter during Euro 2025

Teenager pleads not guilty to sending racist message to Lioness Jess Carter

A 19-year-old man has denied sending a racist message to England defender Jess Carter on Instagram during the Women's Euro 2025 tournament.

Aaryan Aggarwal, of Dickens Rise in Chigwell, Essex, appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court where he pleaded not guilty to sending a public communication that was offensive, indecent, obscene or menacing. He will now stand trial in March.

Message sent after Sweden clash

The court heard that the alleged message was sent on 17 July 2025, while Carter was representing England at the tournament. Prosecutor Grace Court told the court: "This was an incident on the 17 July 2025. The England footballer Jess Carter was currently playing in the Euro 2025 tournament. Following a game against Sweden, she received a message."

Carter was playing in England's quarter-final when the message was sent. The prosecutor said the message read "well done, stupid ugly" before using a racial slur. Aggarwal, it is alleged, first called the footballer "stupid" and "ugly" before using the slur.

Bail conditions imposed

Deputy district judge Christopher Maynard said Aggarwal's trial would take place at Cambridge Magistrates' Court on 3 March. He released Aggarwal on bail, on the condition he did not contact Carter or post about her online.

"If you breach that condition or fail to turn up to court when you're required to do so, it's likely you'll be arrested and brought into custody," Maynard warned him.

Aggarwal was arrested in September in connection with the police investigation.

About Jess Carter

Carter, 28, from Warwick, spent six years at Chelsea FC Women before moving to US-based side Gotham FC in 2024. She was part of the England squad who won their first major women's tournament at Euro 2022.