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BREAKING: Gaetz Introducing Bill Requiring US Soccer to Stand for Anthem or Face Financial Repercussions
June 12, 2020 Hot Takes Press Room

Congressman Gaetz revealed on his podcast "Hot Takes with Matt Gaetz" today that he is drafting legislation compelling US Soccer to reverse the decision they made repealing Policy 604-1, which requires players to stand for the national anthem.

“Today the news has me triggered,” Gaetz says, “The US Soccer Board of Directors voted yesterday to repeal Policy 604-1, which required our players to stand during the national anthem.”

The congressman was shocked. “I just could not believe this when I saw it. This is the US National Soccer Team, making the decision that the soccer players who play underneath our flag, do not have to stand for it, as it is being presented.”

“I don’t like soccer enough, for the US to even have a soccer team, if that soccer team is going to disrespect our anthem and our flag,” Gaetz declares. “It is not like some essential thing that we have to have, if latched to the US Soccer Team is this sense of such extreme wokeness that we cannot be proud of the United States while wearing the uniform of the United States.”

Gaetz differentiates this controversy from the NFL allowing players to kneel during games. “I think this is very distinct from the NFL player kneeling thing, because as much as I oppose that and don’t like it . . . At least those are private people, working for a private company . . . who absolutely have the first amendment right, to do whatever the heck they want to do, so long as it doesn’t hurt anyone else.”

Throwback: Gaetz suggests cutting off tax breaks for the NFL in wake of player protests of the national anthem.

“I certainly think that we have the right to compel that our national team stand for the national anthem," Gaetz continues. "While our anthem is playing, while you serve on the team, I think there is an obligation to respect our country.”

“In the coming days, I will be introducing legislation to compel US Soccer to reverse the decision they made, to repeal Policy 604-1. If players are playing for our national team, they should respect the honor that that bestows, they should stand for the anthem, they should respect our flag," Gaetz revealed. “If we love America, we would expect and deserve and demand, no less.”

Gaetz is expected to announce details of the legislation Saturday on Judge Jeanine's television show, "Justice with Judge Jeanine" Saturday, June 13th, at 9:00pm ET/8:00pm CT on FOX News.

As grown men from all the newly created European countries cry during their national anthem. Americans are a disgrace !

Silly headline. Not all Republicans hate soccer and not all Democrats love soccer. I actually don’t disagree with his point about playing for a National team which is your choice. He clearly mentions his understanding of the kneeling on private teams. The issue when it comes to the women at least is that playing on the national team is the highest level of payment women soccer players receive so it’s not just about the honor of playing for your country but also about how much money you can make. In other countries soccer players are making millions so playing for your national team is actually a pay cut and you are truly doing it for the honor of doing it.

Nice try - this has absolutely NOTHING to do with soccer - just continuation of insanity from both sides of political spectrum.
The poster's "proof" is just as idiotic as the politician's proposed bill.

Personally, I could care less about all those patriotic displays at all sporting events, could easily do without (even prefer).

Additionally, would be great if Larry could put a temporary ban on all that political BS - at least the posts with the sole intention to stir the s... as we don't get enough of that from everywhere.

Congressman Gaetz should be focusing on more pressing issues likes our more than $20 trillion in debt as most of what our Congress does is spend spend spend.


Just because you are representing your country does not mean you give up your 1st amendment rights. Any legislation denying any American the right to free speech will be found unconstitutional. In fact, if you demonstrate in some form in front of the world what you are actually showing the world is that we are free to express ourselves peacefully without repercussion.

Google Tommie Smith and John Carlos at the Olympics in 1968. That was a big deal and those men were criticized severely for their demonstration at the medal podium.

We are a free people because the right to dissent is part of our history.

Did you know that President Trump was captain of the baseball and soccer team at the military academy that he attended?

How much did his daddy have to donate to the school for “little Donnie” to become the captain of both teams.

With all the problems in the country Gaetz and the rest of Congress should be focusing on real issues that we face as a nation. Are we going to waste more taxpayer dollars with Congressional hearings about this? And since when does a person who plays for a National team forfeit their First Amendment rights?

Did you know that President Trump was offered an MLB contract?

[quote=LIRef77]Congressman Gaetz should be focusing on more pressing issues likes our more than $20 trillion in debt as most of what our Congress does is spend spend spend.


Just because you are representing your country does not mean you give up your 1st amendment rights. Any legislation denying any American the right to free speech will be found unconstitutional. In fact, if you demonstrate in some form in front of the world what you are actually showing the world is that we are free to express ourselves peacefully without repercussion.”

You literally have no idea what you are blathering about. If you represent your country you must abide by the rules and regulations promulgated by that particular governing body. You should learn something about the 1st A before you spew bs. You clearly have no idea what you are taking about. This is the second time IVe seen you pontificate on this and be completely clueless. Stop while you are behind and further humiliate yourself. As Twain said long ago ‘‘tis better to remain silent and let other assume you are a fool than open your mouth and remove any doubt”.

What exactly are you saying in a threatening manner. You are the one who is clueless about the first amendment. Since you espouse yourself as an expert on the first amendment then enlighten us with your logic how the first amendment is infringing on a persons right to take a knee during the playing of the national anthem. It has been my experience that you are the one who is clueless and would rather go after the above person. You lack substance and moral character and would rather threaten then give your rationale why the first amendment does not apply in this situation. Do ho ahead impress us smart person.

He went to a military school and still dodged the draft. A true American hero.

He went to a military school because he was a problem child. That information has been well documented in a few bios of him on TV back when he was campaigning and running for president.

Players who kneel knowingly alienate so many people. Do they think this helps their cause? So many kneeling during the anthem is viewed as not honoring those who gave fought and gave theirs lives to give you the right to do that. Of course they have the right, the question is, is it right? Couldn’t you find your own way to protest your beliefs and bring people together rather than knowingly dividing?

How about instead of kneeling and disrespecting our country, players stand together arm and arm! That shows we in it together without disrespecting our country and the people who served!!!

The National Anthem will only be played for National Team Tournaments - The league games ,they will follow the rest of the world, it's not played before games and this will happen for all sports in the USA. This will fix the controversy in sports. But I totally agree if you play for your country you should stand in Solidarity and be proud, if not ,stay home . It's an Honor to represent your country.

How about we just fix the problem of systemic racism and fix the other issues of the day and the kneeling will not become an issue.

The football player JJ Watts said it best, “If you still think it’s about disrespecting the flag or our military, you clearly haven’t been listening”.

I can understand both sides. clearly in leagues like the NFL and alike kneeling for the national anthem is certainly acceptable if the league allows it.
For the national team when representing the USA against other nations I can see how the flag and national song should not be protested against. be proud to be an american and representing the country. There are other times to fight against racism rather than when representing the country on the world stage

I am going to a game and not interested in anything else ,find yourself another forum to kneel not on my time

Tweet du jour: Donald Trump Yesterday

"I won’t be watching much anymore!" -- President Donald Trump in response to Florida Republican congressman Matt Gaetz, who says he is drafting legislation compelling U.S. Soccer to reverse the decision of its board on Tuesday repealing Policy 604-1, which requires players and staff to stand respectfully for the national anthem.

Wake up people do you really think these professional leagues really care about kneeling first and foremost? They are scared how it will effect their sponsorships more than anything else. It’s all about the mighty dollar and that’s it! Sponsors like Nike support the players unlike other sponsorships that want no controversy and the commissioners of these leagues are trying to keep them happy. That is what the controversial truly is with Roger Goodall and the owners. Patriotism is about profit first then everything else comes in second. That’s the real truth.

Here is another real truth; do you Trumpites really believe Trump cares about kneeling during the National Anthem? He sees this as a an advantage by his people who support him and is his over block. He could care less about Nationalism and the American way of life. He cares about nothing other than getting re-elected and this is an issue he immediately jumped on. Remember, his loyalty is to no one but himself. He “dodged” the draft during Vietnam, he called John McCain weak and a loser for being a POW during the Vietnam War and he is right Now held in such low regard by our military that the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of staff disavowed him the other day. Trump could care less about Patriotism.

Thanks for a real truth - a politician worrying about getting re-elected and using all means and issues to gain advantage - Trump must be very unique in this respect.

A better question - do we need to all the displays of patriotism at sporting events? Why can't we do without - so noone has to decided kneel or not kneel, stand or not stand?
May be keep play the anthem at international events and ok players need to show some respect as the represent the country, but for most of professional events just do withot.

Everything you said were lies,but if you say them enough times than they become truth