The US women’s national team has come under fire after Korbin Albert was controversially selected for the 2024 Olympics in Paris despite sharing anti-LGBTQ+ posts on social media.
The midfielder has been booed in recent national team matches but was one of 18 players named to the team by coach Emma Hayes this week.
The selection raised questions, given the negative reaction of her own teammates to Albert’s activity on social media, and because two-time world champion Alex Morgan was left off the list.
On Thursday, the official USWNT account on X, formerly Twitter, published a post dedicated to each of the 18 players who will travel to Paris.
“She considers Paris her home and that is our mission,” the team wrote alongside an image of Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Albert making a heart gesture over the United States crest.
The United States women’s team has come under fire after Korbin Albert was selected for the 2024 Olympics
New US women’s national team coach Emma Hayes has defended her choice in Albert
The post sparked an angry reaction from many followers. “I’d rather have someone who won gold like Alex Morgan than a girl who uses homophobic slurs,” wrote one.
“I can’t wait to hear the boos on TV! I’ll boo them from home!” wrote another. “Is it one of God’s miracles if he gets injured?” asked a third.
Albert previously posted a video from a Christian worship space preaching against homosexuality and transsexuality.
In another TikTok post, which has since been deleted, Albert showed his family saying “their pronouns are USA,” over the Fourth of July weekend.
Screenshots showed that the midfielder had also previously liked a post that appeared to celebrate Megan Rapinoe’s injury in the 2023 NWSL championship, her final match.
There were fans who supported Albert’s choice, but many others fired at the midfielder and Hayes.
“She should have been forced to stay home and attend Pride rallies and therapy sessions. Fans are going to boo her no matter how well she plays on the field until she lets her actions speak instead of her words,” wrote one.
“His actions so far have brought dishonor to our national teams and what we stand for.”
Another added: “Bigotry and hate should have no place on the U.S. women’s team. This was the wrong decision.”
