Soccer chief explains decision to repeal rule on national anthem

U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone apologized for the federation’s lack of leadership in the fight against racism as she addressed its decision to repeal a policy that required players to stand during the national anthem.

The federation’s board of directors voted to repeal the rule, adopted in 2017 after U.S. player Megan Rapinoe kneeled during the anthem. “We are committed to doing better to help fight racism and discrimination,” Parlow Cone said. “Repealing Policy 604-1 was just the first step.”

Policy 604-1 states: “All persons representing a Federation national team shall stand respectfully during the playing of national anthems at any event in which the Federation is represented.”

The board passed the rule on Feb. 9, 2017, and got rid of it during a conference call Tuesday. Parlow Cone called the special meeting after first broaching the idea of repealing the rule last week, and three players spoke on the call.

Rapinoe faced criticism for her protest. But sentiment among the public has changed in the wake of global protests over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis in police custody.

It was the first board meeting Parlow Cone has led as president. She took over in March after Carlos Cordeiro’s abrupt resignation amid fallout over the federation’s legal stance in the gender discrimination lawsuit filed by the women’s national team.

In her comments Saturday, Parlow Cone apologized to African Americans and other minorities “for us not being leaders in this fight. We will continue to engage with our players, our staff and soccer stakeholders to help us be a positive force for change going forward.”