US Soccer Board Overturns Ban On Players Kneeling During National Anthem
US Soccer has overturned a ban on football players kneeling during the national anthem.
The rule was introduced in 2016 after women’s star Megan Rapinoe kneeled in solidarity with ex-NFL player Colin Kaepernick, who began kneeling during the anthem in protest against racial injustice.
The US Soccer board described its previous stance as “wrong”.
The move comes amid worldwide protests over the death of George Floyd.
In a statement, the US Soccer Federation said taking a knee was a form of protest against “police brutality and the systematic oppression of Black people and people of colour in America”.
The U.S. Soccer Board of Directors voted yesterday to repeal Policy 604-1, which required our players to stand during the national anthem.
Black Lives Matter.
We can do more and we will. pic.twitter.com/wtyfkVZmsB— U.S. Soccer (@ussoccer) June 11, 2020