The United States Football Federation officially abolished its controversial rule on Saturday, which forbade players to kneel during the national anthem in protest.
The board of directors of the body had already repealed the rule last year, but to be final, this decision required confirmation from members of the governing body of football.
At its annual meeting on Saturday, 71% of representatives voted in favor of the board’s decision and 29% voted against.
The controversial rule was introduced in 2017 after the star of the women’s team, Megan Rapinoe, fell to her knees during the anthem before an international game in solidarity with American footballer Colin Kaepernick, who popularized this gesture as a protest against racism and police abuse against black population.
The rule ordered international players to “stay respectful” during the anthem.
In June last year, announcing the repeal of the rule, US Soccer said it was a mistake, apologized to its players and acknowledged that it had not done “enough to listen, understand and recognize the very real and meaningful experiences of people.” and black people. communities in our country. “
At the time, the federation was strongly challenged by the rule in the wake of the wave of protests against racism sparked by the death of African-American George Floyd at the hands of a white Minneapolis police officer.