The union representing the U.S. women’s national team has issued a statement hitting out at the social media activity of Korbin Albert.
Albert, 20, has been embroiled in controversy after fans discovered last month that she had posted and reshared anti-LGBTQ+ content on her TikTok account.
The PSG midfielder quickly apologized, saying that the posts were “offensive, insensitive and hurtful” and that she had been “immature and disrespectful” by sharing them.
Several USWNT players past and present have rebuked Albert for her actions, including team leaders Alex Morgan and Lindsey Horan.
Now, the USWNT Players Association has joined in with a statement aimed toward Albert — even if it did not name the midfielder.
USWNT Players have long believed one of our primary responsibilities is advocacy.
Advocacy for ourselves, our teammates, our sibling teams, our fans and society at large. Our ability to be advocates is one of the great privileges representing this national team affords us.
The women’s soccer community is one of joy, excitement, kindness and love. We have worked to ensure our community is safe, inclusive, and welcoming to everyone. As allies and members of the LGBTQIA+ community, those efforts will not stop.
Across the country, human rights are being stripped away.
LGBTQIA+ right are human rights. Trans rights are human rights.
Today and every day, the USWNT Players will stand up for those rights.
A statement from USWNT Players. pic.twitter.com/KalbChLbHd
— USWNT Players (@USWNTPlayers) April 9, 2024
After the outcry over Albert’s social media activity, the USWNT kept her on the roster for the SheBelieves Cup. Interim head coach Twila Kilgore refused to answer a question over whether there was any consideration of removing Albert from the team for the two-game tournament this month.
“There’s been several internal conversations about this that will remain internal,” Kilgore said.
Albert came off the bench in the second half of Saturday’s 2-1 win over Japan, with several fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium booing the midfielder upon her arrival on the field.
The USWNT will face Canada on Tuesday night in Columbus in the SheBelieves Cup final.
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