US Soccer repeals ban on protests during the anthem

The US Soccer Federation (USSF) has abandoned its ban on protests during the national anthem nearly four years after the policy was created in response to a demonstration by women’s team captain Megan Rapinoe.  

The decision was made during a special board meeting Tuesday that was called by new US Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone to discuss the issue.

The New York Times reported that the vote was not unanimous.

According to the Times, the board heard from a player representative from the men’s, women’s and Paralympic teams. The newspaper reported that the player’s recommendations ‘did not align.’

Colin Kaepernick (left) began protesting inequality and racist police brutality by refusing to stand for the national anthem throughout the 2016 season. Megan Rapinoe (right) was prevented from protesting during US women’s soccer team games since doing so in 2016 

The federation issued a statement that read, in part, ‘The U.S. Soccer Board of Directors voted (Tuesday) afternoon to repeal Policy 604-1, which required our players to stand during the national anthem. 

The policy was put in place after Rapinoe kneeled in solidarity with the peaceful protest inspired by Colin Kaepernick, who was protesting police brutality and the systematic oppression of Black people and people of color in America.

‘It has become clear that this policy was wrong and detracted from the important message of Black Lives Matter.’

Kaepernick, then a quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, began kneeling during the anthem in 2016, but he hasn’t been able to find work in the NFL since that season. 

The policy change comes following weeks of nationwide protests in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd, a black man who died May 25 when a white Minneapolis police officer kneeled on his neck for more than eight minutes.

Both the U.S. women’s national team players and the U.S. Soccer Athlete Council, made up of players who have a say in USSF matters, issued statements Tuesday, asking for the USSF to repeal the ban on kneeling during the anthem. Both statements also called on the USSF to apologize for instituting the regulation.

US Soccer replied Wednesday in a statement, ‘We have not done enough to listen — especially to our players — to understand and acknowledge the very real and meaningful experiences of Black and other minority communities in our country. We apologize to our players — especially our Black players — staff, fans, and all who support eradicating racism.

The decision was made during a special board meeting Tuesday that was called by new US Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone (pictured) to discuss the issue

‘Sports are a powerful platform for good, and we have not used our platform as effectively as we should have. We can do more on these specific issues and we will.

‘It should be, and will be going forward, up to our players to determine how they can best use their platforms to fight all forms of racism, discrimination and inequality. We are here for our players and are ready to support them in elevating their efforts to achieve social justice. We cannot change the past, but we can make a difference in the future. We are committed to this change effort, and we will be implementing supporting actions in the near future.’

While it’s unclear how the NFL will react this fall if players take a knee during the anthem, commissioner Roger Goodell said last week, ‘We, the National Football League, admit we were wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier and encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest.’

Major League Soccer issued a statement Tuesday that read in part, ‘If players or staff decide to stand, kneel or otherwise exercise their right to peaceful protest during the playing of the National Anthems before league games, we support them.’