American President Donald Trump had a rocky weekend where he was criticised for condemning NFL players who knelt during the national anthem. The act of protest featured during several matches, even during an exhibition game at London's Wembley Stadium, causing Mr Trump to go on a Twitter rampage.
The President claimed that those who don't stand during the Stars and Stripes should be sacked from the NFL. However, during an interview on Sunday, at what looked to be an airport, Donald Trump was asked about the weekend's protests.
Reporters wanted to know his reaction to the remarks made by his friend and New York Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who said he was 'deeply disappointed by the tone of the comments made by the President'. When Mr Trump began speaking about how 'disrespectful' the protests were, he brushed his eyebrow with his middle finger.
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While some people might claim it as nothing, others reckon it was the President's subtle way of giving everyone the bird.
The kneeling protests first started towards the end of last week, which prompted Mr Trump to send out a barrage of tweets which read: "If a player wants the privilege of making millions of dollars in the NFL,or other leagues, he or she should not be allowed to disrespect our Great American Flag (or Country) and should stand for the National Anthem. If not, YOU'RE FIRED. Find something else to do!"
But he was more heavily criticised for comments that he made during a Republican rally in Alabama. Mr Trump told the crowd: "Wouldn't you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, 'Get that son of a bitch off the field right now, out, he's fired. He's fired'.
"You know, some owner is going to do that. He's going to say, 'That guy that disrespects our flag, he's fired.' And that owner, they don't know it [but] they'll be the most popular person in this country."
Credit: PA
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell condemned the remarks as 'divisive'.
However, the American leader went further, by suggesting people boycott further NFL games to show their solidarity for their country. Additional tweets read: "If NFL fans refuse to go to games until players stop disrespecting our Flag & Country, you will see change take place fast. Fire or suspend!
"NFL attendance and ratings are WAY DOWN. Boring games yes, but many stay away because they love our country. League should back U.S."
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Topics: NFL, Donald Trump
