U.S. women's team calls for repeal of kneeling ban

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Women's World Cup - Round of 16 - Spain v United States - Stade Auguste-Delaune, Reims, France - June 24, 2019 Abby Dahlkemper, Julie Ertz and Alex Morgan of the U.S. during the national anthem before the match REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo/File Photo

(Reuters) - The U.S. women's national team has called on the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) to repeal a policy forbidding players from kneeling during the national anthem and issue an apology to black players and fans.

The USSF will hold a special meeting on Tuesday to consider scrapping the rule, which requires players to "stand respectfully during the playing of national anthems at any event in which the Federation is represented".