The US women’s national team has once again risked the ire of the American public after more than half of the team refused to sing the national anthem before their World Cup group game against the Netherlands in Wellington.
Later, in a game anticipated for months – a repeat of the 2019 World Cup final – the Dutch held the star-studded world champions to a 1-1 draw.
The silent “protest” was labelled “embarrassing” and “disrespectful” by one prominent pundit in the States and also drew strong criticism on social media, with some accusing members of the US women’s squad of failing to be patriotic enough on the global stage.
However, they have received support from tennis legend Martina Navratilova, who told critics to “get a grip”.
A large number of the US players, who have a long history of standing up for themselves and other social justice movements, were once again defiant in their pre-match line-up.
Six players, including Andi Sullivan, Sophia Smith, Naomi Girma, Emily Fox, Trinity Rodman and Crystal Dunn, had chosen not to sing the anthem in the opening game against Vietnam and refused to do so again against the Dutch.
Others, including captain Lindsey Horan, striker Alex Morgan and goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher did belt out the words to the Star Spangled Banner with their hands across their hearts.
Lindsey Horan scores – US women’s team refuse to sing national anthem before World Cup draw with Netherlands
Girma had brushed off the criticism in the build-up to the game and once again stayed silent, with her hands behind her back, during the rendition of the anthem in Wellington, New Zealand.
“I think when we’re out there we’re preparing for the game, and that isn’t the focus,” Girma said, earlier this week. “So ultimately, every player has the choice.”
The most stinging rebuke came from prominent journalist and media personality, Megyn Kelly, who said before the reigning champions’ second game of this World Cup, that they were damaging the country with their behaviour.
“I really do believe their version of what a feminist is, what it means to be an empowered woman, at least as an American woman, means you need to hate your country,” the outspoken podcaster told her audience on SiriusXM’s the Megyn Kelly Show.
“It means to go out on the national stage and embarrass yourself and your country by not singing the national anthem. For several of them, not even holding their hands over their hearts when the national anthem played, that was a bridge too far.
“They couldn’t be bothered to actually place their hand on their heart as the national anthem played, as they stood out there representing you and me and the country and our military and people who have given their lives for the country that they represent.—AFP
