U.S. Anthem Booed in France at Confederations Cup

FENWAY · 06-22-2003, 02:08 PM

U.S. Anthem Booed at Confederations Cup

By RONALD BLUM
AP Sports Writer

June 22, 2003, 9:59 AM EDT

LYON, France -- Fans at the Confederations Cup booed when the "The Star-Spangled Banner" was played before the United States took the field.

The whistling sounded louder at Saturday night's 1-0 loss to Brazil than it was before the Americans lost to Turkey 2-1 on Thursday in Saint-Etienne.

"I think it's disrespectful," U.S. coach Bruce Arena said. "We respect the national anthem of every country, so I was disappointed with that."

U.S. players said the whistling disturbed them.

"It's upsetting," said Earnie Stewart, the U.S. captain Saturday. "On the other hand, it gets you a little riled up, too. We came out of there, everybody had the same feeling, that you want to give 110 percent to make sure that they think about it twice when they do that."

Forward Landon Donovan was among the more outspoken American players after Thursday's game and again was angered.

"It's sad," he said. "True colors show."

Donovan also was upset Portuguese referee Lucilio Cardoso Batista didn't award a penalty kick to the United States after Donovan was tripped up by Brazilian defender Kleberson in the penalty area during first-half injury time. Replays appeared to show the trip occurred after Donovan took the shot, which went wide.

"We're Americans. We're not going to get those calls," Donovan said.

The U.S. team has often complained that referees give breaks to soccer powers.

"Our players felt there was a foul there, but we're not getting calls in games of this level like that. I don't expect to," Arena said. "You can see that the bigger nations get those calls, but we don't. In all fairness, that's a very difficult call for a a referee to make."

Copyright © 2003, The Associated Press

DrunkenGoon · 06-22-2003, 02:13 PM

It was booed in France but it was booed by the Turkish fans. And actually, it was not booed, it was whistled. Whoever wrote that article has no idea what happens at an international soccer game. This is a no issue.

FENWAY · 06-22-2003, 02:13 PM

Anthem booing sucks, but forget the blame the ref for your loss excuse.

By the way were are the WMD Mr. Bush ?

mister_parlay · 06-22-2003, 04:13 PM

Those WMD are up his turd cutter! Bush is a liar!

The Devil · 06-22-2003, 04:16 PM

I have been told that many WMD have been found by a very high ranking member of the administration.............They can not divulge what they have found as it would help other scammers and bonus hos put sports books out of business.............[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

Halifax · 06-22-2003, 04:53 PM

Devil:

I will be enlightening you shortly on what you are alluding to ... by the way, you backed the wrong horse. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

green machine · 06-22-2003, 05:25 PM

French people are displaying their ignorance

big action · 06-22-2003, 07:00 PM

Where are the WMDs? That is your question?

If the cops stood outside a crack house and announced they they would be kicking in the door in 8 months do you think they would find any dope when they finally went inside?

FENWAY · 06-22-2003, 08:29 PM

<< Where are the WMDs? That is your question?

If the cops stood outside a crack house and announced they they would be kicking in the door in 8 months do you think they would find any dope when they finally went inside? >>

But after the bust there is always a nark and info comes out where the crack is. If WMD existed someone would of told where they are or what happen to them by now.

Bush is a liar 2004 cant come fast enough

big action · 06-22-2003, 08:36 PM

Fenway-----all politicians are liars. Coming to grips with that fact makes life much easier.

I would never vote for Bush because I think John Ashcroft is the devil. However, Bush will win in 2004 by a landslide.

timmy · 06-22-2003, 08:51 PM

everybody hates the americans, its just becoming more and more fasionable lately.

the more asses the bully kicks, the more the others boo.

this was just some stupid soccer game. when jonnie comes marching into their country with guns blazin those same idiots that boo our song will be running for the caves like all the rest.

as a side note, i'm very happy to see the american team lost those games. in that chicken shit sport i'm more proud to have my nations team lose on the field than win on those ridiculous penelty kicks!