PhotoU.S. Soccer revealed a new policy Saturday that will require anyone on a national team to “stand respectfully” during national anthems. An image of the written bylaw, which was passed by the soccer federation’s board of directors on Feb. 9, was posted on Twitter by Stuart Holden, a former national team player and an analyst for Fox Soccer. Neil Buethe, director of communications for U.S. Soccer, confirmed in an email that the policy had been approved. The new policy came after Megan Rapinoe, a member of the national team and of the Seattle Reign in the National Women’s Soccer League, knelt during the anthem at least twice last year: first before a Reign match and then with the national team before a friendly against Thailand. And we think those are pretty strong when you’re representing the U.S. national team and wearing the crest.”

Source: New York Times March 04, 2017 22:45 UTC