Overview

• James said she felt relief when other England players also missed in the quarter-final shootout against Sweden because she feared being singled out for racist attacks if she was the only one.
• She cited the abuse of Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka after the men’s Euro 2020 final as a reason for her fear of being targeted.
• England advanced 3-2 on penalties versus Sweden after misses by James, Beth Mead, Alex Greenwood and Grace Clinton.
• James said she was injured in the Sweden match, which limited her role in the semi-final and final, and the Daily Mail reports she is currently in a protective boot and set to miss the opening weeks of the season.
• Her remarks follow Jess Carter’s admission that she felt scared to play the final due to racist abuse, as England paused taking the knee for the semi-final and final, with the Daily Mail reporting The Guardian’s claim that the WSL will resume the gesture this season.