After facing criticism over her antics in a World Cup semi-final against England, the United States striker has provided a passionate defence
Alex Morgan has accused her goal celebration critics of "double standards", with the United States striker perplexed at why her tea-sipping caused such a stir when men are "grabbing their sacks".
USA captain Morgan celebrated scoring a Women's World Cup semi-final winner against England by lifting her little finger and pretending to sip tea, a popular beverage in the country of her opponents and one linked to American independence after a shipment of the drink was dumped in the sea by colonists in an event known as the Boston Tea Party.
She was called "distasteful" and "disrespectful" by her former Orlando Pride team-mate and England international Lianne Sanderson, who is working at the tournament as a pundit for beIN SPORTS, while television presenter Piers Morgan said her celebration was "bordering on a declaration of war".
Yet the forward hit back on Friday, saying it was not a shot at England and suggesting that those lamenting her were sexist given the lack of comparative uproar over Cristiano Ronaldo and Diego Simeone's crotch-grabbing celebrations in last year's Champions League, which did result in fines for both.
"My celebration was actually more about, 'That's the tea', which is telling a story, spreading news," Morgan said.
"Sophie Turner does it quite often, she's one of my favourite actresses, so it wasn't a hit to England in any way.
"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, and have to do something but it always has to be in a limited fashion.
"You see men celebrating all around the world in big tournaments, grabbing their sacks or whatever it is, and when I look at sipping a cup of tea, I'm a little taken aback. You have to laugh about it to see all of the criticism."
Morgan was particularly unimpressed with Juventus forward Sanderson's opinion, given they played together in 2016.
"I'm a little disappointed in that and obviously we were team-mates at Orlando Pride so I have the utmost respect for Lianne and all of my team-mates that I've ever played with," Morgan added.
"So, it's a little disappointing to see that."
USA face Netherlands in Sunday's World Cup final and, should Morgan add to her six goals at the tournament, the celebrations are unlikely to be muted.
"I don't think we'll be deterred by a couple of naysayers," she added.
sekacnrtz
2
morgan is very beautiful
Picoson
0
Ikr my thoughts exactly. She tries to defend herself n makes no sense what so ever then tries to play the sexist card portraying the victim. In the male football it is rather more severe. Especially when it involves countries. The world didn't just let Xhaka and Shaqiri off the hook because they were men but rather they were called out. Simeone as she tries to relate to was called out with Ronaldo as well A lot of male sportmen have been punished for less. Anelca has been punished, Fowler has been punished. She is a wonderful player but it was disrespectful and the fact she is trying to shift the blame to us for realising it was is just outrageous. This sexist excuse in football is going is becoming too much. #MyPov
agree 100 percent
Amsgroup2011
0
it was disrespectful. shameful
boston tea party
sezbklopsy
1
So fucking what! If critics,haters or naysayers,have a problem with Morgans tea sipping celebration. Nothing wrong with it. Infact, it was witty. Having a cup of tea at the English expense,hilarious......
MSCI
0
l don't care but it was disrespectful and disgusting. she should have done it in other games, but she did after scoring against England who have the history with tea sipping
yes she was disrespectful to the half of the world
Rav_Brar
1
There was nothing wrong with her celebration 🎉 and that’s coming from an Englishman!
Bohemia10
5
Even tho i live in America. I hate America.
WeAre1
0
Next time England score a goal against the USA, celebrate like a Lisa Ann, lick that lollipop 😂😂😂😂😂
wendeps
0
Criticise Criticise . who criticized them ? i don't see any criticism but they (woman player) always see criticism idk where they saw .
u are an arse to say that as she is correct in her statement
Elmaxy
3
Just punish her like Simeone and Ronaldo since she is comparing with them... Its like she forgot that they were punish... Hate all this feminist women around
MdRayhanVEVO
0
Criticise Criticise . who criticized them ? i don't see any criticism but they (woman player) always see criticism idk where they saw .
SilverSurfer
2
It will be hard for the Dutch player who scores against USA, to pretend eating a hamburger for celebration....[Crylaugh]
Dodcampns
0
USA make women football look stupid, u all don't deserve no equal pay
Lmao what? The US womens team can be called the best in a long time.
Dodcampns
1
l don't care but it was disrespectful and disgusting. she should have done it in other games, but she did after scoring against England who have the history with tea sipping
Lmao almost every country has a history with tea. I guess she offended almost half the world.
nanabcrz
0
forget everybody
rashyjawara
0
USA is better than England. The english are just jealous about it. 😏
true..
Wekcksyz
1
Alex Morgan the best A13 perfect💟
swagchicken
2
what her and Harry Kane have in common. They both like tea
swagchicken
0
and you can't spell. it's loss not lost. the only one who's lost here is you
lol yea I think he's very *lost*
vomcikmrt
5
Why must everything turn into some feminism angle.Its not about what men do.It was disrespectful to the English simple.Ecplain yourself and leave the rest
Jacadelmt
2
Next time when she scores i hope she will do twerking
MkD30
0
Let us see England line up a team that will not receive eleven (11) goals in 90 minutes if the slaves (BLACKS) are not there. Name that team, BOTH in the male and the female Lions and Lionesses. Sterling shone the other, and the said he is English. Let the blacks in the English team go an strike, and the weakest African team will thrash that team. I don't know what these Africans are nationalising for. They are accepting them because of football. The French slaves won the 2018 FIFA world cup only to be seen at the back of the French players raising their hands to say "WE ARE HERE; NA WE WIN THE CUP O O, NOT THE 'WHITE' PEOPLE".
[image]
Naso jare,we Africans e dey our body yakata
MkD30
0
USA is better than England. The english are just jealous about it. 😏
Preach homie ,God's own country(USA) is far better than Bristain anytime any day.
BlueBlackSnake
0
l don't care but it was disrespectful and disgusting. she should have done it in other games, but she did after scoring against England who have the history with tea sipping
Who cares about English traditions?
BlueBlackSnake
0
it was disrespectful. shameful
Really? Can you give one valid reason?
BlueBlackSnake
4
USA is better than England. The english are just jealous about it. 😏
Komabikltu
2
Morgan all the way bless up --hope Paris win the for England one of the best
XxkingXx789
1
England can't take a lost
and you can't spell. it's loss not lost. the only one who's lost here is you
XxkingXx789
0
but what's wrong with that celebration??
tea is a popular drink in England so they gonna find it offensive if someone who ain't English does the celebration
busnors
3
Let us see England line up a team that will not receive eleven (11) goals in 90 minutes if the slaves (BLACKS) are not there. Name that team, BOTH in the male and the female Lions and Lionesses. Sterling shone the other, and the said he is English. Let the blacks in the English team go an strike, and the weakest African team will thrash that team. I don't know what these Africans are nationalising for. They are accepting them because of football. The French slaves won the 2018 FIFA world cup only to be seen at the back of the French players raising their hands to say "WE ARE HERE; NA WE WIN THE CUP O O, NOT THE 'WHITE' PEOPLE".
Kayadiotz
1
Cuydlmoptu
0
Brazil...✌💪👏
Nauadelrz
5
English people talk the most crap...... it wasn't disrespectful. English fans and commentators get over it..... you lost as usual..... games done.
MSCI
2
l don't care but it was disrespectful and disgusting. she should have done it in other games, but she did after scoring against England who have the history with tea sipping
zarani
2
English people are sore losers when it comes to football they would be crying and lamenting and they would say anything to take the sting of the victory try to make it less than it is!
woeilnorsu
1
Time to sip orange juice lady. go USA.. .
Amsgroup2011
1
it was disrespectful. shameful
Aktculone
2
Don't listen to naysayers lady, go all out!!!!
Edoo87
1
or weed smoking
ficcdkorsu
0
Ikr my thoughts exactly. She tries to defend herself n makes no sense what so ever then tries to play the sexist card portraying the victim. In the male football it is rather more severe. Especially when it involves countries. The world didn't just let Xhaka and Shaqiri off the hook because they were men but rather they were called out. Simeone as she tries to relate to was called out with Ronaldo as well A lot of male sportmen have been punished for less. Anelca has been punished, Fowler has been punished. She is a wonderful player but it was disrespectful and the fact she is trying to shift the blame to us for realising it was is just outrageous. This sexist excuse in football is going is becoming too much. #MyPov
I completely agree, she revealed herself as a devoted feminist. Just wait when she accuses a famous men for raping her
Amsgroup2011
0
someone please tell me what the story about Drinking tea and between England. it would be helpful
Amazingchris
2
who crucified phil Neville when he said Cameroonians were disgraceful? If Morgan's celebration doesn't go down well with the English let deal with it. I'm sipping my cup of tea
Dobceilnp
2
"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" why do they always have to make themselves the victims???? she thinks that only happens to women because they're women?? no it happens to men to so you want equality but complain when you get treated equally as badly as a guy... who the hell gets women!??
Ikr my thoughts exactly. She tries to defend herself n makes no sense what so ever then tries to play the sexist card portraying the victim. In the male football it is rather more severe. Especially when it involves countries. The world didn't just let Xhaka and Shaqiri off the hook because they were men but rather they were called out. Simeone as she tries to relate to was called out with Ronaldo as well A lot of male sportmen have been punished for less. Anelca has been punished, Fowler has been punished. She is a wonderful player but it was disrespectful and the fact she is trying to shift the blame to us for realising it was is just outrageous. This sexist excuse in football is going is becoming too much. #MyPov
Soeelnpsy
0
Don't mind them. They r bad losers
ficcdkorsu
0
that is an example of a female player so strong.I love you Morgan
If strong means playing victim and blame men for everything, you have thousands of examples out there.
Haacelrsuz
1
Nobody cares what ever antics they pull off there style of football is so predictable
ficcdkorsu
0
"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" why do they always have to make themselves the victims???? she thinks that only happens to women because they're women?? no it happens to men to so you want equality but complain when you get treated equally as badly as a guy... who the hell gets women!??
They won some popularity, now she is using it to promote feminism. Just wait man, after some time she will come up with some rape allegations against a celebrity.
Diyang
2
that is an example of a female player so strong.I love you Morgan
jehacdt
1
There are booby traps, besides the ball bearing sacks