The debate around the anthem: FIFA reacted to Trump's refusal to watch matches of the US national football team

FIFA has responded to Donald Trump’s statement that he no longer intends to watch U.S. football matches after the United States (traditional) Football Federation (USSF) lifted a rule prohibiting players to protest on one knee while performing the national anthem.

The international organization emphasized that its head Gianni Infantino supports the rights of athletes in any way to express their negative attitude to all forms of infringement or segregation.

“FIFA strongly advocates tolerance, mutual respect and common sense when it comes to such important issues. We adhere to the principle of zero tolerance for incidents involving any form of discrimination in football, as enshrined in our charter. We all have to say no to racism and violence, ”FIFA quoted the Associated Press as saying.

A few days ago, members of the USSF board voted to repeal paragraph 604-1 of the organization’s policies, which obliged national football players to stand listening to the country's anthem at any event.

Federation President Cindy Parlow Cohn apologized for not having attempted to “help counter racism” earlier. She added that the abolition of the rule is only the first step in this fight.

“We will continue to interact with our players, employees and prominent football figures to remain a positive force that brings change. And we are not talking about short-term initiatives. We need to fit these ideals into our DNA, ”Cohn said.

The cancellation of the item was criticized by a number of Republican congressmen. They expressed bewilderment in social networks how it is possible that the players of the US national teams do not get up during the performance of the national anthem. The American president also joined his party members.

“I won’t watch their matches anymore!” Trump wrote on Twitter.

I won't be watching much anymore! https://t.co/s8nCg9EJSW

Paragraph 604-1 of the USSF policy appeared in 2017 after several protests by the midfielder of the US women's traditional football team Megan Rapino. During the performance of the national anthem, she stood on one knee in solidarity with American football player Colin Kapernik, protesting discrimination.

In 2016, San Francisco Forty Niners quarterback first knelt during a pre-match ceremonial. In this way, he expressed dissatisfaction with the internal politics of the United States, the actions of the police and opposed racial inequality. Soon, players of other teams followed his example and the movement began to have a mass character, which outraged Trump, who regarded this as disrespect for the US national anthem. He called for punishing protesters with disqualification.

In 2017, Colin Kapernik became a free agent, however, none of the teams wanted to use his services. According to him, the National Football League (NFL) entered into a conspiracy with the leaders of the clubs to prevent him from returning to the field from gestures of protest by a football player during the performance of the anthem. The teams themselves explained the lack of interest in the services of an athlete by his level of play. To prove his case, Kapernik went to court, but in February last year he entered into a settlement agreement with the NFL.

Kapernik’s precedent forced the league to follow the USSF’s lead and also ban such protests in May 2018. American football players were required to stand or even be in the locker rooms during the performance of the anthem.

However, amid a wave of mass protests in the United States that began in connection with the death of African American George Floyd after being detained by the police, League Commissioner Roger Goodell apologized to players protesting against racism.

“Personally, I protest with you and I want to be part of much-needed changes in this country. We, the NFL, admit that we were wrong in refusing to listen to the players earlier, and urge everyone to express their position and participate in peaceful protests, ”Gudella USA Today quotes.

In addition, the media reported that the league intends to allocate $ 250 million over the next 10 years to combat manifestations of racism.

The functionary’s statement triggered a critical statement from Trump.

“Is it possible to admit the idea that Roger Goodell, in his rather interesting statement about peace and reconciliation, meant that now for the players it will be in the order of things to show disrespect for our country and our flag, kneeling or not getting up while playing the national anthem ? ”, The US president wrote on Twitter.

Later, the president said that, as in the case of traditional football, he did not intend to watch NFL matches if players would kneel down while the anthem was playing. 

American football players themselves also announced their intention to continue to protest while playing the anthem. They insisted that their actions were designed to draw attention to the problem, and not to offend national symbols.

Thus, the Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield said that he was not afraid of condemnation from the fans, and the Houston Texas defender JJ Watt harshly answered the criticism of one of the users of social networks.

“If you still think it’s a matter of disrespect for our flag or the military, you obviously didn’t listen,” Watt wrote.

It is worth noting that standing on one knee in solidarity with protesters against racism is now allowed in the English Premier League (Premier League).