LOS ANGELES: A wave of protests swept National Football League games on Sunday after US President Donald Trump called for players demonstrating against racial inequality during the national anthem to be fired.
Dozens of players at several games across the league chose to kneel during the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” in the largest such demonstration since the protests first began in 2016.
The first mass protest took place at the NFL’s London game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Baltimore Ravens at Wembley Stadium.
A large number of players from both teams chose to kneel during the playing of the anthem while others stood with their arms interlocked.
Among those linking arms with the players was Jacksonville owner Shad Khan, who donated $1 million to Trump’s election campaign in 2016.
Khan later issued a statement decrying Trump’s recent comments as “divisive and contentious.”
“That’s why it was important for us, and personally for me, to show the world that even if we may differ at times, we can and should be united in the effort to become better as people and a nation,” Khan said.
The London protests were emulated across the United States as matches kicked off.
In Foxborough, around 15 members of the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots kneeled during the national anthem.
Star quarterback Tom Brady linked arms with his team-mates. Patriots owner Robert Kraft, a friend of Trump who also donated to his campaign, issued a statement saying he was “deeply disappointed” by Trump’s remarks on Friday.
In Chicago, the Pittsburgh Steelers chose to remain in their locker room during the anthem ahead of their clash with the Bears.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, who is black, said the decision was not intended to be disrespectful but rather calculated to “remove ourselves from the circumstance.”
“These are very divisive times for our country,” Tomlin told CBS television. “For us as a football team, it’s about remaining solid.”
Wave of protests in NFL after Trump criticism
Wave of protests in NFL after Trump criticism
Saudi Pro League clubs dismiss claims of talks with Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah
- Asharq Al-Awsat report describes media hints at possible Salah move to Kingdom as ‘baseless rumors’
- Sources say major clubs Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Ahli, along with Al-Qadisiyah and NEOM, have not considered contacting Salah, Liverpool, or his agent
RIYADH: Saudi football clubs have not considered negotiating a move by Liverpool’s Egyptian striker Mohamed Salah to the Saudi Pro League, official Saudi sources told Asharq Al-Awsat on Wednesday.
Media speculation concerning possible talks between Salah and clubs in the Kingdom surfaced earlier this week after the player spoke out against Liverpool Football Club’s management and coach Arne Slot.
However, Saudi sources dismissed claims of a possible move as “promotional news” placed in the media by Salah’s agent and entourage.
Roshn Saudi League clubs “have not taken any steps” in that direction, basically due to Salah’s current contract that extends until mid-2027, added the sources.
Involving Saudi clubs has become a common practice among many international players experiencing problems with their clubs, with the aim of increasing their market value or creating false interest, the sources added.
Clubs including Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Ahli, along with Al-Qadisiyah and NEOM, have not held talks or even considered contacting Salah, Liverpool, or his agent, the sources said.
Asharq Al-Awsat published on Tuesday an official denial from an Al-Hilal source on the matter and described the reports as “baseless rumors.”
The newspaper also carried a similar denial from sources within Al-Qadisiyah, who confirmed that the club, owned by Aramco, has no intention of pursuing Salah.
Omar Maghrabi, SPL’s CEO, said during his address at the World Football Summit on Wednesday that Salah would be welcome in the Saudi league, but the clubs are the parties responsible for negotiating with players.
