As taking a knee has increasingly become synonymous with the fight against police brutality used by activists who have staged mass Black Lives Matter protests around the world following the appalling death of African-American George Floyd in police custody, the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) has no option but to change its tune. 

A USSF spokesperson confirmed on Monday that it is mulling over the possible repeal of its much-maligned policy requiring national team players to stand during the national anthem.  

The move came as the U.S. women's team issued a public statement earlier in the day calling to repeal the policy. "We believe the Federation should immediately repeal the 'Anthem Policy,' publish a statement acknowledging the policy was wrong when it was adopted, and issue an apology to our Black players and supporters," read the statement. 

"Further, we believe the Federation should lay out its plans on how it will now support the message and movement that it tried to silence four years ago. Until USSF does so, the mere existence of the Policy will continue to perpetuate the misconceptions and fear that clouded the true meaning and significance of Colin Kaepernick, Megan Rapinoe and other athletes taking a knee-that Black people in America have not been and continue to not be afforded the same liberties and freedoms as white people and that police brutality and systemic racism exist in this country."

"This is everybody's responsibility, including this union and its members; we could and should have done more in the past. We are committed to rising up against racist, hateful and unjust acts to effect change. Black lives matter," it added. 

Over the weekend, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced in a video that the league has made a mistake in how it has dealt with player protests of police brutality and systemic racism over the past few years. 

In his message, he did not address the national anthem or kneeling, but the speech was seen as an attempt to make peace with players who knelt during the national anthem to call attention to racial injustices. 

Goodell pointed out that he would begin reaching out to players who have raised their voices and added: "Without black players, there would be no National Football League, and the protests around the country are emblematic of the centuries of silence, inequality and oppression of black players, coaches, fans and staff."