Emma Hayes on Korbin Albert boos: Fans entitled to opinions

United States women’s national team head coach Emma Hayes said fans are “entitled to their opinions” after midfielder Korbin Albert was booed following her introduction as a second-half substitute in Saturday’s 0-0 draw with England.

Albert was brought into the action in the 73rd minute of the stalemate against the reigning European champions but was welcomed to Wembley Stadium by an echo of boos rather than the loud cheers her teammates received.

Hayes, when asked about Albert receiving such a negative reaction from the crowd, said: “Of course I understand the booing and everybody is entitled to their opinions on it, without a doubt. My job is not to weigh in on the debate. I’m a football coach to produce a football team.”

Albert shared anti-LGBTQIA+ content on social media earlier in the year and subsequently apologized, saying she was “really disappointed” in herself for doing so. Hayes supported Albert after beginning work with the USWNT in the summer, but insisted on Saturday that the 21-year-old needed to learn from this experience.

It is not the first time Albert has faced a negative reaction from a crowd. The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder was booed in June — on the first day of Pride month — during the USA’s 4-0 win over South Korea in…