NFL boss Roger Goodell confirmed on last Wednesday that players in the professional football league should be standing during the national anthem, without making it a condition as United State President Donald Trump demands.
However, Goodell said no decision was made during this meeting on the thorny issue of player protests during the national anthem, which has divided the world of sports and American society for several weeks.
“We think the players should get up during the national anthem. We want our players to be standing up and we will continue to encourage them to get up. And we’re going to continue to work on these issues within the community.” Goodell said at a press conference.
“I can’t deal with hypotheticals right now. We’ll deal with these issues as they come up, but for right now, that’s our focus.
“It’s important for us to honor our flag and our country, and that’s what supporters expect from us.” he added.
Goodell added that the NFL never wanted to do politics, saying that the protest topics were “complex”. He also said he was sensitive to the protests of players who talk about a reform of the judicial system.
However, Trump quickly responded to NFL decision, he said: “The NFL had decided that will not force players to stand up for our national anthem. Total disrespect for our great country!”
This new attack by US President against the NFL comes after a meeting between the owners of the club and representatives of the players in New York City.
One of NFL members Colin Kaepernick is right to take a knee during at NFL game. (Source:www.theblaze.com)
For nearly a month, Trump has been engaged in a showdown the NFL players who kneel down during the national anthem.
This controversial move, made to denounce police brutality against African-American, racial tensions in the United States and sometimes the US President himself, is portrayed by Trump as a lack of disrespect for America.
Trump on Monday urged the NFL to ban players who kneel during the anthem. League rules state that players should get up during the Star-Spangled Banner, but do not make it mandatory.
