Teen Denies Racist Message to England Footballer

A 19-year-old has denied sending a racist message to England defender Jess Carter on Instagram, Chelmsford Magistrates' Court heard. Aaryan Aggarwal, of Dickens Rise in Chigwell, Essex, is accused of using a racial slur after calling the footballer "stupid" and "ugly" on July 17, 2025.

Carter received the message while playing for England in a quarter-final match of the Women's Euro 2025 tournament. Prosecutor Grace Court stated that following a game against Sweden, the message sent to Carter read "well done, stupid ugly" before containing the racial slur.

Aggarwal pleaded not guilty to sending a public communication that was offensive, indecent, obscene, or menacing. His trial is scheduled for March. He was arrested in September in connection with the ongoing police investigation into the incident.