Man in court accused of racist post about Lioness

A teenager has appeared in court charged with making a racist comment on Instagram about England defender Jess Carter.

Aaryan Agarwal allegedly sent the footballer a message in July last year, during Women's Euro 2025.

The 19-year-old of Dickens Rise, Chigwell, is charged with a single count of sending a letter, communication, or article conveying an indecent or offensive message.

He appeared at Colchester Magistrates' Court on Tuesday but did not enter a plea. He is due to attend Chelmsford Crown Court on 18 August.

Magistrates were told the message was sent on 17 July, when England won against Sweden in their quarter-final.

The post allegedly referred to Carter using racist language.

Agarwal was arrested in September after the message was reported.

Carter, who is from Warwick, was part of the England squad who created history by winning their first major women's tournament at Euro 2022.

The 28-year-old spent six years at Chelsea before moving to US-based side Gotham FC in 2024.

Correction 22 July: This article was corrected to clarify that the charge relates to one message, rather than the previously reported two.

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