Icon: enlarge
Megan Rapinoe's protest in 2016 was the reason for the rule in US football
Photo: imago sportfotodienst / imago images / ZUMA Wire
The national soccer association of the USA has canceled the controversial anthem rule after a vote among the members.
In 2017, US Soccer prohibited players from kneeling down to the national anthem, stating that they should "stand respectfully".
The Presidium had already revoked this rule last year.
In order to remove them from the rules, however, a majority at the general assembly was necessary.
Icon: enlarge
Despite the ban, some players also kneeled at the anthem in 2021
Photo: Robin Alam / Icon Sportswire / imago images / Icon SMI
On Saturday, 71 percent of the delegates voted for abolition, 29 percent voted against.
The rule was introduced after superstar Megan Rapinoe kneeled during the anthem in solidarity with former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick at an international match in 2016.
Since Kaepernick's protest, the kneeling has become a symbol of solidarity with the "Black Lives Matter" movement.
With his action, Kaepernick had set an example against racism and police violence.
Icon: The mirror
mfu / sid
/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/prisa/JA4RXYZUW5B6ZAE3MS46WDSQP4.jpg)
