U.S. Soccer League Has A New “Policy” That Requires Players To Stand For National Anthem

U.S. Soccer has passed a new policy that would require players to stand for the national anthem at events where the federation is represented. “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,” new policy 604-1 states.

Five months after U.S. Soccer lashed out and disapproved of  Megan Rapinoe for kneeling during the national anthem as a form of protest, it’s clear on their stance on the issue and how they treat their players. They’re the first major American sports organization to formally announce a requirement for players stand for the national anthem since Colin Kaepernick sparked anthem protests across several sports last fall.

Fox Soccer sports reporter Stuart Holden shared the news on his twitter account, and while stating the new policy, he also stated that if a player did not stand, then the league will handle it as it occurs. There are no preset consequences. The policy comes from Sunil Gulati, the current president of the United States Soccer Federation, who is of Indian descent, so this moves come shocking to many.

The league issued their own statement against Rapinoe for  knelt back in September of 2016: “As part of the privilege to represent your country, we have an expectation that our players and coaches will stand and honor our flag while the national anthem is played,” their statement read in part. Rapinoe noted at the time that her kneeling was a way to show support for Kaepernick’s #BlackLivesMatter protests and to stand with marginalized groups. “Quite honestly, being gay, I have stood with my hand over my heart during the national anthem and felt like I haven’t had my liberties protected,” she told ESPNW.

Time will tell what happens next, but just as Rapinoe stood (knelt) with us, I’m standing by her because not only is this just wrong, a song that is supposed to represent freedom; but it goes against the first amendment… so in turn, how free is this country really?