A 19-year-old man from Chigwell, Essex, has pleaded not guilty to sending a racially offensive message to England footballer Jess Carter during last year’s Women’s European Championship in Switzerland. Aaryan Aggarwal appeared in Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court, charged with sending a message over a public network that was deemed offensive, indecent, obscene, or menacing. The message, which included the racial slur "n*****," was allegedly sent to Carter on 17 July 2023, during England’s quarter-final match against Sweden. Aggarwal denied the charge during his court appearance, and a trial has been scheduled for October 3 next year at Cambridge Magistrates’ Court. Earlier this year, Carter revealed that she had felt so distressed by online racist abuse during the tournament that she avoided leaving her hotel room. Another individual, 60-year-old Nigel Dewale, had already pleaded guilty to sending abusive messages to Carter’s TikTok account, referencing her race and making harmful and racist claims. Dewale received a suspended jail sentence in March after his guilty plea. Carter spoke to BBC Sport about the emotional toll of the abuse, saying it left her feeling scared and devalued as a person. She admitted that while she understands people may not like how she plays football, she strongly opposed being targeted for her race or appearance. “Attacking people as human beings and for what they look like is a really sad thing to do,” she said. Carter emphasized her responsibility to speak out not only for herself but also for others facing similar abuse. She expressed a desire for healthy rivalries in sports but stressed that such abuse is not necessary or acceptable. Carter noted that the issue of online abuse has worsened over time, especially for high-profile athletes like the members of England’s women’s national team, known as the Lionesses. Many players now feel uncomfortable being themselves in public due to the fear of encountering hostility. She highlighted the importance of addressing such behavior to ensure that athletes can compete without fear of discrimination or harassment.