U.S. women’s soccer star Alex Morgan said there is a double standard between men and women in response to criticism she faces for celebrating a goal she scored against England’s team on Tuesday by pretending to sip a cup of tea.
No. 13 on her birthday. In honor of those 13 colonies.
That’s. The. Tea ??????
Go on, @alexmorgan13, what a birthday! pic.twitter.com/Rge0HMMrCk
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) July 2, 2019
Two days after the U.S. team defeated England 2-1 in the semi-finals of the World Cup, Morgan told reporters in Lyon, France, that she was “disappointed” in the criticism she has received.
“You see men celebrating all around the world in big tournaments, you know, grabbing their sacks, or whatever it is,” she said. “And when I look at sipping a cup of tea, I’m a little taken aback. And you have to laugh about it to see all the criticism.”
Alex Morgan defends her tea-sipping celebration… ? pic.twitter.com/Sw7hXOkJ3Y
— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 5, 2019
Morgan had also said the tea sipping gesture was a nod to Game of Thrones actress Sophie Turner and her “that’s the tea” storytelling on social media.
“I feel that there is some sort of double standard for females in sports to feel like we have to be humble in our successes and have to celebrate but not too much, or do something but always in a limited fashion,” she added.
Turner took time out of her honeymoon to post a video to defend Morgan.
.@alexmorgan13 said her tea celebration was inspired by Game of Thrones star Sophie Turner.
Turner showed her support and gave the haters the tea ? ? pic.twitter.com/RtVIKrnLFS
— ESPN (@espn) July 5, 2019
The U.S. team will face the Netherlands in the Women’s World Cup final on Sunday.
