US Soccer Association wants to allow kneeling during the anthem - USOPC ready to rethink

Cologne (SID) In the wake of protests against racism and police violence in the USA, the national football association USSF is planning a symbolic step. Accordingly, US national players should in future be allowed to kneel during the anthem before international matches. So far they are required to stand during the anthem. A spokesman for the association confirmed corresponding considerations. The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) also wants to grant athletes new freedoms in political expression. In an open letter to Team USA athletes released late Monday, USOPC chief Sarah Hirshland wrote that U.S. officials have "failed to listen" and have tolerated racism and inequality in the past. "I'm sorry. They deserve better. They matter. Black lives matter," Hirshland continued. The US soccer players called on the USSF to apologize to its black players. "We believe that the association should immediately repeal the 'anthem regulations' and release a statement in which the association should admit that the regulation was wrong when it was passed. And the association should reach out to our black players and supporters "We apologize," said a statement from the United States Women's National Team Players Association (USWNT). The association's board of directors is scheduled to meet in a video conference on Tuesday and discuss the matter; a vote could take place on Friday. If the change is voted for, it would come into force immediately, although it would initially only be valid for just under a year. The step would be all the more remarkable because the anthem is considered a special symbol of respect for the country in the USA. Former football star Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the anthem several times in 2016 to demonstrate against violence against black people. The then San Francisco 49ers player was released at the end of the 2016 season and has not found a new team since then. The quarterback justified this with his protest. After the violent death of the American George Floyd as a result of a police operation in Minneapolis, there were protests against racism and sometimes violent clashes across the country.

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US Soccer Association wants to allow kneeling during the anthem - USOPC ready to rethink

In the wake of protests against racism and police violence in the USA, the national football association USSF is planning a symbolic step.

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