Alex Morgan is bemused by the criticism she's received for her tea-drinking celebration after scoring the winner in the USA's women's World Cup semi-final win England.
America's joint-captain says it's surprising that it's attracted so much attention when male players are “grabbing their sacks” after scoring goals.
Morgan was making reference to Cristiano Ronaldo's crotch-grabbing antics in Juventus' win over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League last season, for which the five-time Ballon d'Or winner was fined.
Former England international Lianne Sanderson claimed her once Orlando teammate had been “distasteful” and “disrespectful” and it was suggested that Morgan was making reference to the Boston Tea Party ahead of Independence Day in America this week.
"I could be wrong… it’s based upon playing against England and we love our tea in England.
"I’m not a tea drinker but that’s what we’re connected with".
☕ @liannesanderson calls Alex Morgan's tea sipping celebration "distasteful."
📺 Live now on HD11#beINWWC #beINSPIRED19 #ENGUSA #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/dwvowkcdK6
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) July 2, 2019
But Morgan insists her intention was not to disrespect English people.
"My celebration was actually more about, ‘That’s the tea’, which is telling a story, spreading news.
"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.”
The 30-year old was particularly disappointed by Sanderson's comments on BEINSports.
"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.
“So, it’s a little disappointing to see that.”
