The American Football Federation (USSF) announced on Wednesday that it had abrogated a rule prohibiting players from playing on national teams to kneel during the anthem, which it said illustrated its "failure to respond to the concerns of blacks". "The board of directors voted (Tuesday) afternoon to repeal rule 604-1, which required our players to stand during the national anthem," said the statement.
This measure was introduced in 2017, just after the star of the national women's team Megan Rapinoe knelt down during the "Star-Spangled Banner", during an international match in 2016. She then joined the protest movement against police violence against blacks, initiated by the former American football star Colin Kaepernick. "It became clear that this policy was wrong and undermined the important message of the Black Lives Matter movement", the USSF acknowledged.
"We haven't done enough to listen to the very real and meaningful experiences of black people"
"We have not done enough to listen - especially our players - to understand and recognize the very real and meaningful experiences of blacks and other minority communities in our country. We apologize to our players - especially our players black people, staff, fans and all those who support the eradication of racism, "she added.
Words that respond to the request made to that effect by the national women's team on Monday, after learning that its federation intended to repeal its rule: We think that the USSF should publish a declaration recognizing that this rule was erroneous when it was adopted and apologize to our black and partisan players. "Heard, the double world champions have not yet reacted.