The United States Soccer Federation’s board of directors has voted to repeal the 2017 rule that required players to stand during the playing of the national anthem. The decision was taken Tuesday but didn’t become public knowledge until Wednesday.
Former Sports Illustrated writer Grant Wahl broke the news on Twitter. The New York Times later reported that the vote was not unanimous. U.S. Soccer released a formal statement on Wednesday night:
The rule was introduced in early 2017 after Megan Rapinoe, one of the biggest stars on the world champion U.