Club owners join outcry over Trump’s attack on players’ anthem protests

The owners of two leading American football teams have joined a chorus of NFL executives criticising President Donald Trump’s suggestion that they fire players who kneel for the national anthem.

The statements, from New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and Baltimore Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti, followed another controversial morning tweet from Mr Trump.

Mr Bisciotti said he “100 per cent” supports his players’ decision to kneel during the national anthem. At least seven of them did, joined by more than a dozen Jacksonville Jaguars, before the teams played at London’s Wembley Stadium.

Mr Kraft, who has been a strong backer of the president, expressed “deep disappointment” with Mr Trump and said politicians could learn much from the unifying spirit of a competitive, team-oriented enterprise like football.

“Our players are intelligent, thoughtful and care deeply about our community and I support their right to peacefully affect social change and raise awareness in a manner that they feel is most impactful,” Mr Kraft said.

Quarterback Colin Kaepernick started the kneeling movement last year when he played for the San Francisco 49ers, refusing to stand during The Star-spangled Banner to protest against the treatment of black people by police. Kaepernick became a free agent and has not been signed by a new team for this season.

Without identifying Kaepernick, Mr Trump aimed a Friday speech at a Huntsville, Alabama, rally at those players whohavekneltfortheanthem.

“Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, you’d say, ‘Get that son of a bitch off the field right now. Out! He’s fired’,” he said to loud applause.

Again in a tweet yesterday morning, Mr Trump urged his supporters to take action: “If NFL fans refuse to go to games until players stop disrespecting our flag and country, you will see change take place fast. Fire or suspend!”

Mr Trump’s remarks provoked team owners and the NFL to stridently defend the sport and its players.

The Buffalo Bills were bothered enough by the situation to hold a voluntary team meeting on Saturday, with players, coaches, staff and ownership all taking part.

Owners Terry and Kim Pegula said: “Our goal was to provide open dialogue and communication. We listened to one another. We believe it’s the best way to work through any issue we are facing, on and off the field.

“President Trump’s remarks were divisive and disrespectful.”