US women's soccer players are being attacked over false accusations that they turned their backs on a World War II veteran in protest as he played the national anthem on his harmonica prior to Monday's game against Mexico, but the team has denied the claims.
The reigning World Cup champions were seen standing at attention before their 4-0 Olympic-sendoff win in Hartford, Connecticut as 98-year-old Pete DuPré played a rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner.
While some players turned and faced the flag, others, such as Christen Press, remained facing forward towards DuPré. Several had their hands on their hearts, such as co-captain Alex Morgan, while another co-captain, Megan Rapinoe, kept her arms behind her back.
Photographs and video footage confirm that the players who did turn were, indeed, facing the flag at the far end of the stadium.
Team members such as Rapinoe have previously knelt in protest of racism during the anthem, but were not doing so on Monday in Connecticut. Furthermore, several players were seen clapping for DuPré after his performance and others shook his hand as they walked to their locker room before the game.
Regardless, critics on social media accused American players of attacking DuPré, the country, or both.
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US women's soccer players are being attacked over false accusations that they turned their backs on a World War II veteran in protest as he played the national anthem on his harmonica prior to Monday's game against Mexico , but the team has denied the claims
While some players turned and faced the flag, others, such as Christen Press, remained facing forward towards DuPré. Several had their hands on their hearts, such as co-captain Alex Morgan, while another co-captain, Megan Rapinoe, kept her arms behind her back. Photographs and video footage confirm that the players who did turn were, indeed, facing the flag at the far end of the stadium
Pete DuPré , a 98-year-old WWII veteran, performed the US national anthem before Monday's game, and afterwards got autographs from US women's stars like Megan Rapinoe (right)
Conservative Canadian pundit Ezra Levant accused the US women's team of supporting Hitler
'Several players turned away from honoring the US flag and the US national anthem he was playing,' tweeted former acting director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell, a member of Donald Trump's cabinet. 'Not one of those who snubbed the flag & anthem tuned toward Pete. Pete was to their left. (See below). They aren't turned to him. (Every Mexican player turned for their anthem).
'#11 and #2 turned away from the US flag and the 92 year old WWII
