da luck： Sophia Smith has leapt to the defence of USWNT colleague Alex Morgan after seeing her fined, with the NSWL told they have priorities “all messed up”.

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Legendary forward questioned officialsHas been hit in the pocketTeam-mate baffled by that sanctionWHAT HAPPENED?

World Cup winner Morgan has been punished as a result of her social media rant that questioned the standard of officiating in the National Women’s Soccer League. After being on the receiving end of a full-blooded challenge during the San Diego Wave’s meeting with KC Current, Morgan posted: “In what world is this not a penalty and red card, or even foul? Completely reckless and the leg going in for the tackle doesn’t even get a ball when I cut her? Just glad I saw her coming and didn’t plant on that leg or I’d 100% not be walking today.”

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Said criticism has landed Morgan in hot water, with the NSWL fining her for “comments detrimental to the league made on social media”. The severity of that sanction has not been revealed, but Smith believes there was no need to take any action.

DID YOU KNOW?

After learning that her international team-mate had been hit in the pocket for calling out a questionable decision, Portland Thorns star Smith posted on her own social media account: “This is so backwards and priorities are allll messed up.” She threw in a skull emoji for good measure.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

The NWSL has been criticised on a regular basis down the years for supposedly failing to protect players on the field, with questions asked of whether the lack of training and pay for match officials is putting player safety at risk.