Megan Rapinoe won’t be sanctioned for kneeling prior to U.S. international matches. (Andy Mead/YCJ Photo)
By Michael Lewis
FrontRowSoccer.com Editor
President Donald Trump has put his two cents in about U.S. Soccer’s reversal of its kneeling policy during the national anthem.
Trump said Saturday that he won’t be watching U.S. Soccer game anymore.
“I won’t be watching much anymore!” Trump wrote on Twitter, responding to a tweet by Rep. Matt Gaetz.
It was not known how many games – men’s and women’s – Trump has watched on TV.
Trump also had similar sentiments about the NFL.
“And it looks like the NFL is heading in that direction also, but not with me watching!” he tweeted.
Earlier this week, U.S. Soccer voted to repeal a policy requiring players to stand while the national anthem is played before games.
The federation put that policy in place after star forward Megan Rapinoe kneeled in solidarity with Colin Kaepernick. The former NFL quarterback took a knee in 2016 in protest against police brutality and the systematic oppression of black people and people of color in America.
Gaetz (R-Fla.) said that he would introduce a bill asking U.S. Soccer to reverse its decision or face financial ramifications. “I’d rather the US not have a soccer team than have a soccer team that won’t stand for the national anthem,” Gaetz said on Twitter.
U.S. Soccer had no comment on Gaetz’s intentions, a federation spokesperson said.
If governments interfere with soccer federations, FIFA has a right and a history of suspending those organizations from international play.
During the 2019 Women’s World Cup, Rapinoe and Trump got into a war of words.
In a video released by Eight by Eight magazine in late June 2019, Rapinoe said that, “I’m not going to the f—ing White House. … We’re not going to be invited. I doubt it.”
She later added, “No. I’m not going to the White House. We’re not going to be invited. I doubt it.”
In a tweet storm the next day morning, Trump retaliated.
“Women’s soccer player, @mPinoe, just stated that she is ‘not going to the F…ing White House if we win’,” he said.
“I am a big fan of the American Team, and Women’s Soccer, but Megan should WIN first before she TALKS! Finish the job! We haven’t yet invited Megan or the team, but I am now inviting the TEAM, win or lose.
“Megan should never disrespect our Country, the White House, or our Flag, especially since so much has been done for her & the team. Be proud of the Flag that you wear. The USA is doing GREAT!”
Trump had to delete his original three tweets because he tagged the wrong woman — Megan Rapino.
The 33-year-old Rapinoe has criticized the president, calling him “misogynistic,” “small-minded,” and “racist.”
