U.S. Soccer Reconsiders Its National Anthem Policy

The N.B.A. has had an anthem rule on its books since 1981 that compels coaches, players and trainers “to be present, stand and line up in a dignified posture,” and the players have never pushed to have it changed. But numerous N.B.A. players have taken part in recent protests, and six weeks before games are scheduled to resume it is not clear if there will be a renewed focus on the rule, or challenges to it. But the league appears willing to discuss it. “As has been the case of the last several years, we will work in partnership with the players on important issues like this,” Mike Bass, an N.B.A. spokesman, said Tuesday.

Even FIFA, soccer’s politics-averse global governing body, put out a statement last week in the wake of several on-field gestures and expressions of support for protesters by players in Germany’s top league. League and federation officials, FIFA said, “should use common sense and have in consideration the context surrounding the events” before punishing anyone for a peaceful protest.

“For the avoidance of doubt,” Gianni Infantino, FIFA’s president, said, “in a FIFA competition the recent demonstrations of players in Bundesliga matches would deserve an applause and not a punishment.”

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/09/sports/soccer/us-soccer-anthem-uswnt.html