VIDEO: Outrage as U.S. Women’s soccer players refused to sing National Anthem at FIFA Women’s World Cup in New Zealand

Information reaching Kossyderrickent has it that Outrage as U.S. Women’s soccer players refused to sing National Anthem at FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Much of the US women’s soccer team remained silent during the playing of The Star-Spangled Banner at Friday’s World Cup opener in New Zealand, prompting critics to excoriate players over a perceived lack of patriotism.

Before beating Vietnam, 3-0, to open Group E play, six of 11 starting players opted against placing their hands over their hearts, instead keeping their arms at their sides or behind their backs. Meanwhile, five others did put their hands on their hearts, including three — Julie Ertz, Alyssa Naeher and Lindsey Horan — who also sang the national anthem lyrics

‘They are playing the song of our NATION!’ yet, another fan tweeted. ‘Watch how ALL the other teams respond when they play theirs!’

Critics have continued to keep an eye on the US women’s behavior during the anthem after former team captain Megan Rapinoe knelt in protest of racist police brutality beginning in 2016.

Rapinoe, now playing in her final World Cup, also said in 2019 that she would ‘never put my hand over my heart’ and ‘never sing the national anthem again.’

All but one player knelt in protest before a 2021 game against Australia, but the team was falsely accused of turning its back on the flag and a World War II veteran before another game that year.

The reigning World Cup champions were seen standing at attention before their 4-0 Olympic-sendoff win in Hartford, Connecticut in July of 2021 as 98-year-old Pete DuPré played a rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner.

According to a report from News Week, the majority of the players stayed silent with their fists behind their back during the song. Only five players placed their hands over their hearts as they stood for the national anthem and only three players of the team’s starting 11 players sang along to the national anthem.

This is not necessarily a new move from the team, either.

The players’ silence during the national anthem dates back to the 2019 World Cup when many players chose not to sing during its playing. Women’s soccer superstar Megan Rapinoe went as far as to tell Yahoo! Sports that she was probably never going to sing the national anthem again.

VIDEO HERE