Jaelene Hinkle, a star for the North Carolina Courage professional women's soccer team, and one of the best players in the US, was not selected for the national team, which celebrated a historic win on 7 July in the Women’s World Cup, prompting questions, writes The Washington Times.
Many have wondered if the snub had anything to do with the player’s refusal to promote the LGBT lifestyle, reportedly on Christian moral grounds.
The Washington Times points out that after Hinkle wasn’t called up, “coach Jill Ellis told reporters that the decision was 'solely based on soccer', an explanation greeted with widespread scepticism.”
In June The Irish Times had written that Hinkle was “the finest left-back in the NWSL” and would likely have felt like “a fish out of water” on the women’s national team, some of whose biggest stars are openly lesbian.
The soccer player has never shunned questions regarding her conservative religious convictions. Back in 2015, Hinkle openly spoke out against a US Supreme Court’s ruling that legalised same-sex marriage, posting her stance on Instagram.
In 2017 Hinkle declined to play when the women’s team wore special rainbow-themed team jerseys for two international friendlies celebrating Gay Pride Month.
Hinkle spoke on the “700 Club,” the flagship television programme of the Christian Broadcasting Network, opening up on the issue, adding she had felt it wasn’t her job to wear that jersey.
Shortly after, Hinkle was booed at by some fans waving rainbow flags when her team played against the Portland Thorns in Portland, Oregon.
Twitter users reactions were split, with some openly supporting the player and her staunch Christian beliefs:
Other users deplored Hinkle’s judgement and believed the US team was better off without her:
In the interview with the “The 700 Club,” Hinkle stated:
““I’m essentially giving up the one dream little girls dream about their entire life. It was very disappointing. If I never get another national team call-up again then that’s just a part of [God’s] plan, and that’s OK."