Megan Rapinoe says the US Women's team "don't buy" the apology from US Soccer president Carlos Cordeiro for the language used in a lawsuit over equal pay.
The row between the US Women's team and US Soccer shows no sign of abating following comments from Rapinoe in the aftermath of their 3-1 win over Japan in the final of the SheBelieves Cup in Texas.
Prior to the game, the players wore their jerseys inside-out, so that the US Soccer logo was not visible but the four stars which represent their World Cup success were still on show.
Lawyers for football's governing body in the US have made submissions as part of a lawsuit over equal pay filed by 28 women's national team players in which it is claimed that the job of a male footballer on the national team "requires a higher level of skill based on speed and strength" than their female counterparts.
It also claimed male players deserve more money than women because the men often face "the hostility of the fans" while the women players do not.
In a statement on Wednesday, Cordeiro said: "I sincerely apologise for the offence and pain caused by language in this week's court filing, which did not reflect the values of our federation.
"I have made it clear to our legal team that even as we debate facts and figures in the course of this case, we must do so with the utmost respect."
“You are not lesser just because you’re a girl. You are not better just because you’re a boy. We are all created equal and should all have the equal opportunity to go out and pursue our dreams.”
pic.twitter.com/2Bpdp4EZgU— Annie Costabile (@AnnieCostabile) March 12, 2020
Speaking after the game Rapinoe, who scored a stunning free-kick in the win over Japan, let her feelings be known.
"That [statement] wasn't for us. That was for fans, for the media, for sponsors, because that all sounded pretty similar to what we've heard before.
"You want to talk about hostility? Every negotiation we've had, those undertones are in there, that we're lesser - every mediation that we had, every time we meet with them and obviously the reason that we filed this lawsuit.
"So for him to put that out saying sorry presumably to us, we don't buy it."
The Ballon d'Or winner added: "Is that truly how they feel about 50% of the population that they are supposed to be stewarding into the game of soccer?
"I don't think anyone wants to sponsor an organisation that is being blatantly misogynistic and sexist.
"I know that we're in a contentious fight but that crossed a line completely."
US coach Vlatko Andonovski said: "I support their fight and what they believe in. It’s what makes them special – they are true warriors."
Asked about turning the jerseys inside-out in the warm-up, he said: "I was aware something was going to happen but I didn’t want to ask any questions or seek further answers.
"I admire everything they do for the fights they have."
