Abby Wambach apologizes for criticizing referee after World Cup win
U.S. forward Abby Wambach reacts during a 2-0 victory over Colombia at the Women’s World Cup in Edmonton, Canada, on Monday.
A day after criticizing a referee for issuing yellow cards to two of her teammates in Monday’s World Cup win over Colombia, U.S. captain Abby Wambach apologized for her comments.
Following the United States’ 2-0 knockout-round victory over Colombia, Wambach questioned whether referee Stephanie Frappart purposely issued yellow cards to Megan Rapinoe and Lauren Holiday with the knowledge both players would be forced to sit out the team’s quarterfinal match.
“I don’t know if they were yellows,” Wambach told reporters Monday. “It seemed like she was purposefully giving those to the players she knew were sitting on yellows. I don’t know if it was just a psychological thing, who knows?”
On Tuesday, she struck a more conciliatory tone during an interview with Fox Sports, and apologized.
“I’m not in the referee’s head, and that’s something that I definitely take ownership of and apologize for, because I don’t know what the referee is thinking,” Wambach said. “She is doing the very best job she can.”
Under FIFA rules, players who receive two yellow cards in the World Cup are suspended for one game. Rapinoe and Holiday, both starters, will not play Friday against China.
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