Why are sports stars taking a knee in America?

DONALD TRUMP wants every American footballer who kneels in protest against widespread police brutality against black people to be sacked.

The President of the United States said: “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… he is fired’.”

How did it start?

With a startling number of police brutality incidents on African American men being highlighted on social media, Colin Kaepernick took a stand.

During a pre-season game for the San Francisco 49ers – before the 2016 campaign – the NFL star dropped to one knee during the national anthem.

Dozens of sportspeople have followed suit but Kaepernick left the 49ers after last season and is still a free agent with some claiming his protests and political views have put teams off signing him.

Who has been doing it?

More than 20 players kneeled during the song before this Sunday’s NFL clash at Wembley between the Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars.

Seahawks stars Michael Bennett and Jeremy Lane have sat in protest. Miami Dolphins men Four Dolphins players – Arian Foster, Michael Thomas, Kenny Stills and Jelani Jenkins have also refused to stand.

New England Patriots players, Martellus Bennett and Devin McCourty have raised their fists after the national anthem

What is it in protest at?

The poignant stance is in protest against police violence against black people and has been adopted by the Black Lives Matter movement.

Kaepernick revealed: “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of colour.

To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”

Kaepernick vowed to continue his protest until he feels “[the American flag] represents what it’s supposed to represent.”