The United States women’s national soccer team, which includes devoted national anthem kneeler Megan Rapinoe, is now demanding that the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) “immediately repeal” a 2017 policy which inhibits kneeling protests by requiring players to “stand respectfully” during the national anthem.
US Women’s Soccer Players Fight Ban Against Anthem Kneeling
Fox News reported that the patriotic policy was put in place after Rapinoe took a knee before her game as her team took on the Chicago Red Stars in 2016.
“We believe the Federation should immediately repeal the ‘Anthem Policy,’ publish a statement acknowledging the policy was wrong when it was adopted and issue an apology to out Black players and supporters,” read a statement by the players that was posted on Twitter.
“Further, we believe the Federation should lay out its plans on how it will now support the message and movement that it tried to silence four years ago.”
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“Until USSF does so, the mere existence of the Policy will continue to perpetuate the misconceptions and fear that clouded the true meaning and significance of Colin Kaepernick, Megan Rapinoe and other athletes taking a knee—that Black people in America have not been and continue to not be afforded the same liberties and freedoms as white people and that police brutality and systemic racism exist in this country,” the statement continued.
USWNT Player’s statment re: @ussoccer‘s “Anthem Policy” pic.twitter.com/Jd4OtRDhRJ
— USWNT Players (@USWNTPlayers) June 9, 2020
Policy Requires Players To Respect The Anthem By Standing
The USSF policy in question was enacted in February of 2017. The policy states that, “All persons representing a Federation national team shall stand respectfully during the playing of national anthems at any event in which the Federation is represented.”
The soccer federation’s board of directors is reportedly meeting today to discuss the policy. And a vote on it could come as early as Friday, according to reports.
Of course, Rapinoe was quick to hop on the Colin Kaepernick train. She followed in his shoes after the QB began taking a knee while the national anthem played before his NFL games back in 2016. Kaepernick said he knelt to protest racial inequality in America.
The move outraged patriotic Americans everywhere. Many saw this as a sign of disrespect towards the flag and those who have fought for it.
In response to protests and activism across the country, US Soccer has discussed potentially repealing its policy that all players must stand during the National Anthem.
The rule was put into place in 2017 after Megan Rapinoe kneeled in solidarity with Colin Kaepernick. pic.twitter.com/5IFWtqJNCB
— Religion of Sports (@religionofsport) June 8, 2020
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NFL Folds To Pressure As Well
This push against the USSF comes just days after the NFL folded on this issue. Friday, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell issued an apology about how the league handled the anthem kneeling protests.
“We, at the National Football League, believe Black Lives Matter,” he said. “I personally protest with you and want to be part of the much needed change in this country.”
We, the NFL, condemn racism and the systematic oppression of Black People. We, the NFL, admit we were wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier and encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest. We, the NFL, believe Black Lives Matter. #InspireChange pic.twitter.com/ENWQP8A0sv
— NFL (@NFL) June 5, 2020
It’s sad that we are living in a time when these kind of anti-American protests are not only being normalized, but celebrated.
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