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06th Aug 2023

USA players criticised after refusing to sing national anthem

Joseph Loftus

“I hope they lose.”

Members of the women’s USA football squad have caused controversy after many of them refused to sing the national anthem in today’s game against Sweden.

While five members sang the anthem, six did not, including Crystal Dunn and Naomi Park.

In previous games many members have opted out of singing the anthem too.

While Rapinoe has been left on the sub bench for many of the USA’s games so far this World Cup, she is still being targeted as the one behind their decision not to sing.

Controversial commentator, Megyn Kelly, said on her show: “Megan Rapinoe, she’s the leader of all this… She’s not a starter. So that’s why she’s not on camera when they’re doing the national anthem, but she’s behind a lot of this.”

Obviously, as with a lot of commentators on US politics, there is quite literally no evidence to suggest this.

Megyn continued: “She’s poisoned the entire team against the country for which they play. I don’t know about you, but I’m not rooting for them. I’m not with them. I hope they lose…It’s shameful. These girls are shameful. They ought to be ashamed of themselves.”

Despite not being a part of their starting squad against Sweden, Rapinoe, who is now playing in her final World Cup, said in 2019 that she would never sing the national anthem again, she didn’t, however, urge any of her teammates to do the same.

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