Megan Rapinoe Faces Criticism Over Iranian Soccer Team Silence

Piers Morgan took a sharp stance against former U. S. soccer star Megan Rapinoe, calling her lack of comment on the Iranian women’s team “hypocritical. ” The criticism stemmed from a New York Post piece that highlighted Rapinoe’s silence after the Iranian squad’s controversial anthem protest at the Women’s Asian Cup in Australia. Morgan’s post on X accused many “feminists, ” including Rapinoe, of prioritizing the fight against transgender athletes over supporting oppressed female players. He framed the situation as a choice between defending “biological men” in women’s sport and helping Iranian athletes escape danger. The Iranian team first sparked global attention when they quietly protested the national anthem during their opening match. In subsequent games, they returned to singing and saluting Iran’s flag before being knocked out of the tournament. The story raised fears for their safety, especially as they were expected to return home amid tensions involving U. S. and Israeli military actions.Seven members of the team received humanitarian visas to stay in Australia, with one later withdrawing her acceptance. Despite the attention, Rapinoe has yet to speak publicly about the Iranian players or their plight. Rapinoe, known for her outspoken views on Trump and support for transgender athletes, previously defended the inclusion of trans players in U. S. women’s soccer during a 2023 Time interview. She argued that trans women are “real women” and criticized the anti‑trans rhetoric used by some opponents. Her vocal positions have attracted backlash on social media, and she has also challenged the Save Women’s Sports movement. In a recent podcast episode, Rapinoe focused on WNBA collective bargaining talks and compared them to the equal‑pay victory of the U. S. women’s soccer team, rather than addressing the Iranian issue. The debate highlights a broader tension between advocacy for marginalized athletes and political activism, raising questions about where public figures choose to direct their attention.