American striker Alex Morgan has hit out at critics of her goal celebration during their 2-1 victory over England labelling it "double standards".
The USA captain celebrated her goal during the World Cup semi-final by lifting her finger and pretending to sip tea in a move that proved controversial. Speaking on beIN SPORTS, England international Lianne Sanderson labelled it "disrespectful".
Morgan has since responded and denied it was an attempt to insult England. She also pointed to the lack of reaction to incidents like Cristiano Ronaldo and Diego Simeone’s celebrations in last year’s Champions League. Both players engaged in crotch-grabbing celebrations and were finned.
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 also took aim at her former team-mate Sanderson: "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."
Alex Morgan defends her 'tea drinking' celebration
?"There are double standards put on female players" pic.twitter.com/JMjo1RFTMS
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) July 5, 2019
Morgan's focus will now turn to Sunday's final, where they will play the Netherlands.
