The U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) is reportedly considering changing its current policy against kneeling or sitting during the national anthem. According to ESPN, on Tuesday the USSF board will have a call to discuss the current rule with a vote occurring on Friday.
The new look at the policy comes as protests continue to occur throughout the country regarding police brutality and racism. With that, another conversation around kneeling during the anthem has resurfaced, with many changing their positions on the peaceful protest, including the NFL.
The USSF policy went into effect after U.S. women's national team star Megan Rapinoe followed quarterback Colin Kaepernick's lead and knelt during the anthem in solidarity.
She knelt in 2016 and the following rule was implemented in 2017:
- Policy 604-1: "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."
ESPN reports that if the policy is repealed, it will go into effect immediately, though the national council could choose to keep it in place until the next general meeting, which is currently scheduled for early next year.
The protests occurring around the United States -- and the rest of the world -- were sparked by the death of George Floyd, an African American man who died after a white police officer knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes.
