FOX SPORTS EXCLUSIVE: ABBY WAMBACH ADDRESSES CONTROVERSIAL COMMENTS MADE REGARDING REFEREE
U.S. star Abby Wambach exclusively spoke with FOX Sports USWNT Insider Jenny Taft and addressed the comments she made last night regarding the yellow cards given to teammates Lauren Holiday and Megan Rapinoe: “I was asked about my opinion – whether those yellow cards were just. And, for me, I’m not in the referee’s head, and that’s something I definitely take ownership of and apologize for, because I don’t know what the referee is thinking. She is doing the very best job she can; so are the players. We’re all trying to do our very best, and that’s what I feel bad about because I think that’s what was taken a little bit wrong in what I said, because I don’t know what she was thinking, and nobody can. She’s doing the best she can, and for me, I have the utmost respect for all the referees who are refereeing these games and all the players because this is such a big event. In no way did I intend to offend her – and my biggest apologies if it was offensive in any way.”
FOX Sports analyst Alexi Lalas reacted to Wambach’s apology: “We saw a player who realized she screwed up, or she was told she screwed up, and needed to rectify it. I’m glad that she did, but I love the fact that Abby Wambach talks. I love this volley that seems to go back and forth on everything.
“However, Abby, there is no conspiracy. The world is not against you or your teammates on the National Team. You are part of a super power when it comes to the U.S. Women’s Team, and you need to behave as such. The world, like I said, is not against you. And it’s almost becoming fun for us to talk about, but it’s unbecoming. Don’t worry about the turf. Don’t worry about the referees. Just go out there and score goals and win the World Cup, and everybody will be happy, including you.”
MOMENTUM CONTINUES AS USA-COLOMBIA SETS NEW FOX SPORTS 1 AUDIENCE RECORD: The U.S. Women’s National Team won its FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP 2015™ Round of 16 match over Colombia last night 2-0 in Edmonton to earn a spot in the Quarterfinal Round on Friday, June 26 (7:30 PM ET on FOX) against China, and viewership set more milestones for FOX Sports 1, according to Nielsen. USA-Colombia attracted 4.7 million viewers, setting a new record for soccer on FOX Sports 1, beating the previous mark of 3.3 million set earlier in the tournament (U.S.-Australia Group Stage) by 42%. It is the most-watched soccer match on cable since last year’s World Cup. With an audience of 4.7 million, USA-Colombia now ranks as the third most-watched program in FOX Sports 1 history. Click here for the full release.
FOX Sports’ coverage of the FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP 2015™ continues today with Japan vs. Netherlands on FOX Sports 1, followed by FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP TONIGHT at 1:00 AM ET.
For notes, coverage, bios, photography and more, visit the FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP 2015 page on FOX Sports Press Pass.
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