"Total disrespect for everything that is dear to us"

Donald Trump quarreled with American athletes. Short

US President Donald Trump criticized American athletes protesting during the Games against police arbitrariness in relation to blacks. In particular, Trump expressed dissatisfaction with the fact that some players of the National Football League refuse to get up during the performance of the American anthem. Speaking to the supporters in Alabam, the president said that such "bitch children" demonstrate "total disrespect for our heritage and everything that is dear to us." Trump also said that NFL team owners should fire players for such behavior.

The player of the NBA team "Golden Steit Warriors" Stefen Curry refused to go to the White House for a traditional reception for athletes. The basketball player said that at the upcoming meeting of players it would vote against a trip to Washington planned for February. In response, Trump announced that he was calling for an athlete’s invitation to the White House. “To be invited to the White House is considered a great honor,” the president on Twitter wrote . - Stefen Curry doubts, so his invitations are withdrawn! "

The president also noticed that if the player considers it possible to earn millions playing in the NFL, then he "does not have the right to insult our great American flag (or country) and should stand during the performance of the anthem." “And if not, you are fired, find yourself another lesson,” Trump wrote.

Many American athletes opposed Trump. Stefen Curry said that it was not appropriate to behave the leader of the country. Many leading NFL, NBA and MLB players joined him (leading US baseball league). Famous players made critical statements to the president, and the legendary basketball player Lebron James said that visiting the White House was considered an honor until Trump settled there.

The owners of the teams supported their players, despite the fact that many during the election campaign financed Trump's headquarters. At least ten NFL clubs have released statements with the presidential criticism. “The evil and insulting remarks of the president contradict everything that our country symbolizes,” wrote James York, the owner of San Francisco Fotininins. Green-Bay Pack, General Director Mark Murphy said that management is ready to defend the rights of its players peacefully to express their positions in the hope of changes for the better. “We were lucky as the Americans, we have the right to express our thoughts openly and freely,” he added.

The speeches of athletes against police arbitrariness in relation to African Americans began in 2016. The first athlete that refused to get up during the execution of the American anthem was Colin Cadpernik's Kvoterbek. In the 2017 season, Kadpernik failed to sign a contract with any NFL team. According to CNN , in the NFL and NBA, the majority of black players, while almost all the owners of the teams are white (the only exception is Michael Jordan, who owns the Charlott Hornets basketball team).

The Golden Steit Warriors team announced that it would still come to Washington in February. However, instead of a visit to the White House, the Stephen Curry team promised to use the time in the capital "to hold events in support of equality and equality."

The last word remains behind Trump. On Sunday, the US President wrote on Twitter that the low attendance of NFL games is connected, firstly, with boring matches and, secondly, with the fact that many "do not go to American football because they love our country." He called on the leadership of the NFL to “support the United States”, and the fans - not to go to matches until the players begin to respect the flag and the country.

Konstantin Benyumov