An amendment to U.S. Soccer federation regulations now requires all players to “stand respectfully” at games for the national anthem. The change was made following an anthem protest against inequality in America before at least three matches last year by a player currently on the women’s soccer team. The new regulation, passed last month by the federation, reads: “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.”Penalties for violating the new rule remain unclear. U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati told Fox Soccer TV that actions would be decided on a case-by-case basis.

Source: Huffington Post March 06, 2017 03:00 UTC