(Mirror) – FIFA have urged “tolerance, mutual respect and common sense” following Donald Trump’s response to US Soccer’s decision against making players stand for the national anthem.
Widespread protests have taken place in America following the death of George Floyd.
Police brutality first caused NFL star Colin Kaepernick to kneel for the anthem before Women’s Team skipper Megan Rapinoe followed suit.
US Soccer had demanded that players stand during the national anthem before making a U-turn on that policy.
As a result, Trump tweeted saying he would no longer watch matches.
Senator Matt Gaetz also added that he would “rather the US not have a soccer team than have a soccer team that won’t stand for the National Anthem.”
But FIFA have come out and said that “common sense” must prevail as they continue to strive for equality.
“FIFA strongly advocates for tolerance, mutual respect and common sense when such important matters are debated,” read a FIFA statement to The Associated Press.
“FIFA has a zero-tolerance approach to incidents of all forms of discrimination in football, as outlined in the FIFA Statutes. We must all say no to racism and no to violence.”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino also praised the racial solidarity shown by players in the Bundesliga, which includes American international and Schalke player Weston McKennie.
And, according to FIFA, Infantino’s “position on the player’s rights to express themselves against racism, discrimination and violence was clearly stated two weeks ago and it has not changed.”
Black Lives Matter will feature on Premier League kits instead of player names when matches resume this week.
