Soccer fans boo after Armed Forces enlistees pledge to obey President Trump's orders at swearing-in ceremony in Portland
Fans at a National Women Soccer League match were seen booing at a United States Armed Forces swearing-in ceremony when the enlistees were asked to pledge to obey the orders of President Donald Trump. The incident was reported at half-time at the game between the Portland Thorns and North Carolina Courage on Wednesday.
The moment was captured on video and shared by the Oregonian. Fans at the Portland Thorns soccer game were heard groaning and booing at the moment when the enlistees were asked to "obey the orders of the President of the United States".
According to a report, the league match was scheduled to include the ceremony to mark the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack. It is apprent from the video that the crowd only booed at the mention of Trump and returned to cheering the new Armed Forces members.
The swearing-in ceremony incident followed Major League Soccer being criticized for changing its Fan Code of Conduct earlier this year. This included a ban on political signs of any kind at the stadium. The National Women Soccer League had also agreed to not let political signs at the Thorns game but the swear-in ceremony, of course, included the pledge.
This is not the first time that the mention of Trump or his presence has elicited jeers. Last year, in fact, college students were seen booing at Trump's motorcade while they waited to attend the college football national championship.
Last season, Trump had renewed attacks on players and even called for suspensions. This was in response to players kneeling at the time of national anthem as a sign of protest against police brutality of African Americans and racial inequality. In a flurry of tweets, Trump had said, "The NFL players are at it again — taking a knee when they should be standing proudly for the National Anthem. Numerous players, from different teams, wanted to show their “outrage” at something that most of them are unable to define. They make a fortune doing what they love."
He had further added, "Be happy, be cool! A football game, that fans are paying soooo much money to watch and enjoy, is no place to protest. Most of that money goes to the players anyway. Find another way to protest. Stand proudly for your National Anthem or be Suspended Without Pay!"