The American Football Federation authorizes the knee to the ground during the anthem

Megan Rapinoe will now have the right to kneel during the anthem: the American Federation (USSF) abrogated Wednesday a rule which prohibited the members of its national teams to carry out this gesture of protest, and which illustrated its “failure to answer to the concerns of black people. " "The board of directors voted (Tuesday) afternoon to repeal rule 604-1, which required our players to stand during the national anthem," the proceeding said on Wednesday.

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. Which was then called a "motherfucker" by Donald Trump and has not replayed for three years, blacklisted in the NFL.

"We haven't done enough to listen, especially our players"

However, kneeling on the ground has become, since the death of George Floyd on May 25, an emblematic gesture to challenge racial injustice, during the very numerous demonstrations that have taken place in the United States and in the world over the past fifteen days. In addition, expressing solidarity with the protesters, police also knelt at rallies. "It became clear that our policy was wrong and undermined the important message of the Black Lives Matter movement", the USSF acknowledged.

"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 black players -, staff, fans and all those who support the eradication of racism, "she added.

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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 the USSF should publish a declaration recognizing that this measure was wrong when it was passed and apologize to our black players and supporters. "

Heard, the double world champions did not react immediately. They also urged the Federation to "outline its plans for how it will now support the message and the movement it tried to silence four years ago".

“We are here for our players and are ready to support them in their efforts to achieve social justice. We cannot change the past, but we can make a difference in the future. We are committed to this effort to change and we will implement support actions in the near future, ”promised the USSF, without giving details.

The NFL on its knees?

"It will be up to our players to determine how they can best fight against all forms of racism, discrimination and inequality", concludes the Federation, which is also trying to settle a conflict on the salary field with the team national female.

It remains to be seen now whether his decision to no longer ban kneeling during the anthem will be an example followed by other American authorities, even if the North American Soccer League (MLS) has already said that it "would support the players feeling the need to stand up, kneel or otherwise exercise their right to peaceful protest ”during the American and Canadian anthems.

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In NFL, the subject, hung up on the drama George Floyd and the ongoing rehabilitation of Kaepernick, is however hot. After the apologies made a few days ago by Commissioner Roger Goodell to his players for not having supported their protests, and his promise to support them in the fight against racism, Donald Trump wondered if the leader was going to let kneel during the American anthem.

"Would it even be possible for him to imply that it would now be acceptable for players to KNEEL, or not to defend the national anthem, thus disrespecting our country and our Flag? "Tweeted the President, who has more than one supporter among NFL franchise owners. For Adrian Peterson, Washington Redskins player, ban or not, "there will no doubt be knees on the ground this season."

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