Even though it might seem like it, the act of kneeling during the National Anthem is not just an NFL issue. It’s been one within U.S. Soccer, too.
United States women’s national team star Megan Rapinoe became the first to do it in 2016 before their match against Thailand. It was done to show support for Colin Kaepernick and what he was trying to bring attention to. The 34-year-old kneeled several more times before matches with her club team, OL Reign.
The U.S. Soccer Federation answered quickly when they passed a bylaw in 2017, making it a requirement for players to stand during the national anthem.
Policy 604-1, which was passed in 2017, states: “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.”
ESPN is now reporting that U.S. Soccer is considering a change to its policy, via the report:
“At the urging of USSF president Cindy Parlow Cone, the board will meet via conference call Tuesday to discuss the policy, sources said. The board probably will take a formal vote Friday.
If the board votes to repeal the policy, it would take effect immediately, but it would still have to be voted on at the next annual general meeting, scheduled to take place in February or March. At that point, the National Council could either back the repeal or vote to keep the policy in place.”
That would be a major shocking turn of events if this actually goes through.
