USWNT midfielder Corbin Albert apologized last week after reposts and other social media activity resurfaced online. They included a TikTok post that included a sermon delivered in a Christian worship space that talked about how wrong it is to be gay or “feel trans.”
The incident has raised questions about the U.S. Soccer Federation's social media policies.
Albert is currently in camp with the USWNT for this week's She Believe Cup, where the team will play against Japan on Saturday. The federation itself has not formally addressed Albert's social media activity, nor has interim head coach Twyla Kilgore. Reactions primarily centered around a post from former USWNT player Megan Rapinoe, and on Wednesday, team captains Lindsey Horan and Alex Morgan issued statements during a virtual media availability.
“We just want to address the unfortunate situation regarding Corbyn that occurred this past week. We have worked very hard to maintain the integrity of this national team through an entire generation, but this We are very disappointed that standards were not upheld,” Horan said. “Our fans and supporters feel like this is a team they can rally behind, and it’s definitely going to be very important for them to continue to feel heard and seen. It is important.”
“As allies and members of the LGBTQ+ community in particular, we support maintaining safe and respectful spaces,” Morgan continued in the statement. “This platform has given us the opportunity to highlight causes that are important to us and that we will never take for granted.”
even deeper
Morgan, Horan call Albert's situation 'unfortunate'
Albert provides a current example of how social media can cause unintended consequences in the workplace, but this is not the first time something like this has happened in women's soccer.At the club level, Sidney Nacero was drafted by Portland Thorns FC ahead of the 2022 NWSL season, but the team didn't sign her After her social media activity, including posts and shared content, surfaced. Nacero apologized at the time, but she later said on a Tampa Bay radio show that her personal political reasons prevented her from playing in the league.
“It's a dream that was stripped away from me just because I have different political beliefs,” Nacero said. “And I think it's sad and discouraging to see that because the NWSL is so one-sided in that respect. Because you can only be a spokesperson for politics if you're on one side. This is because it is limited to.”
For U.S. Soccer, a national governing body (not a government agency) and a non-profit organization, its approach to how to treat players who share what it considers personal religious or political beliefs is A single NWSL team in a privately owned commercial league that seems like it could be different.
What policies does U.S. Soccer already have in place that could address this or similar situations? Does U.S. Soccer have the authority to withhold national team players for social media activity? What triggers discipline and where are the boundaries? Would an organization exercise such power?
This review of existing guidance from the Federation focuses on what may be defined as 'personal beliefs'.
The first policy to consider is the collective bargaining agreement between the federation and the U.S. Women's National Team Players Association. Article 6 has fairly standard provisions prohibiting discrimination on both sides on a variety of factors, including religion, race, sex, sex, gender identity, age, and more.
What could give U.S. Soccer broad leeway to make such calls is Article VIII, which states: The best interests of WNT and the WNT Program. ” Federations may argue that if a player is posting or sharing content online that they deem harmful or offensive, it is not in the best interest of the team or program.
US Soccer also has its own policies, including its code of conduct and prohibited conduct policy, which are published on its website. A U.S. Soccer spokesperson confirmed the federation has a social media document, but said it reflects guidance rather than policy.
The Code of Conduct has a section titled “Guidelines for Conduct” that asks four questions: Is it ethical? Is it legal? Will that reflect well on me and American soccer? ” If the answer to these questions is “no,” this guide concludes, “don’t do it.”
There are no specific rules in the code of conduct regarding the use of social media, but the document emphasizes that people “treat each other with respect and dignity” in a section on how to work as a team. “This means we can raise criticism constructively, acknowledge that professional disagreements may still exist, and ensure that all team members work together in an environment free of harassment, bullying, or unlawful discrimination.” It means you understand that you have the right to work.”
This is a notable section, considering Albert wished Meghan Rapinoe's injury-induced career an end, and even made a social media post celebrating at the time, which was one of the most notable moments among teammates. It could also affect Albert's position in the locker room.
Although the consequences for violating this Code have not been made clear, the federation takes all reports “seriously” and says it has “the right to take all available disciplinary and/or corrective actions for violations of this Code.” will be reserved.”
The Prohibited Conduct Policy defines harassment as “unwelcome conduct, whether verbal, physical, or visual, based on a person's protected status.” U.S. Soccer prohibits harassment that impacts specific job benefits, unreasonably interferes with an individual's job performance or safety, or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment. I will not tolerate it. ”
In Albert's case, the current SheBelieves Cup roster had little involvement in the ensuing discussion on social media. Center back Abby Dahlkemper shared a post of Megan Rapinoe on her Instagram, but most of the posts were from retired players or from April camp, including publicly engaged Alana Cook and Lynn Williams. He was a player who didn't play well.
On Tuesday, Williams and Sam Mewis, a teammate of Jalene Daniels at North Carolina State, discussed Albert's social media activity and apology. Daniels' history with the USWNT has similarities to Albert's, and while Daniels has posted reactions to the Supreme Court's decision on marriage equality on her social media, her position on the U.S. national team is similar to that of Albert. This was further complicated by the fact that he refused. She was called up because she refused to wear a rainbow number during the Pride game. Her social activity happened in 2015, after which she was called up to the national team under then head coach Jill Ellis.
“At the time, we didn't know how to deal with the situation and we just put football first,” Williams said on an episode of Good Vibes FC. “I think if I've learned anything it's that there are some things that are more important than football and one of them is human rights.”
Some are even bigger than a football ❤️@sammymewy and @lynraenie Let's take a look at USWNT player Corbin Albert's social media last week and what it means for the United States' locker room and future.
🎧: New Good Vibes FC episodes are now available wherever you get pods pic.twitter.com/ZhJkDnIbyW
— Women's Games (@WomensGameMIB) April 2, 2024
Morgan said Wednesday that the USWNT has had internal discussions regarding the current situation, but the discussions will remain internal. “One thing you should know is we've never shied away from tough conversations within this team,” she said.
While there is certainly precedent in the United States for firing employees for posting on social media, the federation does not appear to have a policy of supporting such decisions at this time. Albert won't be the last player whose personal views clash with the culture associated with his USWNT.
(Corbin Albert photo: Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)