MLS allows players to peacefully protest during national anthem

On Tuesday Major League Soccer released a statement supporting players’ right to peacefully protest by kneeling down during the National Anthem prior each match. The decision came after the US Soccer Federation announced that they were thinking about allowing players to protest and that a decision will be reached by the end of the week.

“While fostering an environment of diversity, equality and inclusion, Major League Soccer stands by the ideals of freedom of speech and the right to peaceful protest that are the hallmarks of the United States and Canada. If players or staff decide to stand, kneel or otherwise exercise their right to peaceful protest during the playing of the National Anthems before league games, we support them,” the statement read.

This form protest was started by San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick who was protesting police brutality in 2016 and followed by USWNT team captain Megan Rapinoe. The death of George Floyd has sparked demonstrations and protests in more than 75 cities across the nation and made the sports leagues in the U.S. reconsider their policies.

The NFL, where everything started, was the first major league in the United States to change its kneeling down policy and the Commissioner Roger Goodell said on 5 June that “we were wrong for not listening to the NFL players earlier and encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest.”

MLS resumes workouts

As of 4 June MLS teams have resumed full team workouts ahead of the 2020 season, which was postponed after only two games due to the coronavirus pandemic. After weeks of discussions it all appears that the season will resume in the beginning of July in Orlando, Florida.