The US President has escalated a feud with Super Bowl champions the Philadelphia Eagles after most team members refused to attend an event honouring their victory.
Donald Trump staged a political event at the White House in place of a Super Bowl party for the Eagles, insisting on the need for Americans to stand up for the anthem to honour those who have sacrificed their lives for the nation.
"We stand to show our love for our fellow citizens and our magnificent constitution," Mr Trump said.
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He has feuded with National Football League players over the past year, blasting on-field protests in which players sat or kneeled during the national anthem to protest racial bias in the US criminal justice system amid accusations of excessive use of force against black people by police.
None of the Eagles players knelt during the playing of the anthem during the football season, but Mr Trump brought up the anthem protests when he cancelled the team's invitation after many players said they would not attend the celebration.
The White House said it had cancelled the long-established tradition after the Eagles said that just a handful of people would attend the event, fewer than the 81 initially proposed.
At least two members of the team and the NFL players' union responded, saying the event should have gone forward if any Eagles planned to attend.
"Our union is disappointed in the decision by the White House to disinvite players from the Philadelphia Eagles from being recognised and celebrated by all Americans," the NFL Players Association said in a statement. "NFL players love their country."
In her daily briefing, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders criticised the Eagles.
"If this wasn't a political stunt by the Eagles franchise, then they wouldn't have planned to attend the event and then backed out at the last minute," she told reporters.
The @WhiteHouse @PressSec Sarah Sanders accused Super Bowl champions the @eagles of engaging in a "political stunt" after most of the players refused to attend an event hosted by @realDonaldTrump. @rtenews pic.twitter.com/jJzBb012mY
— Brian O'Donovan (@BrianOD_News) June 5, 2018
Ms Sanders said the White House had tried to avoid cancelling the event, which the Secret Service had cleared hundreds of Eagles fans to attend.
"The White House, despite sensing a lack of good faith, nonetheless attempted to work with the Eagles over the weekend to change the event format that could accommodate a smaller group of players," she said.
But the Eagles said only a "tiny handful" of representatives would show up and that the great majority of players would not attend, Sanders said.
"The vast majority of the Eagles team decided to abandon their fans," she added.
Pennsylvania officials, including Philadelphia's Democratic mayor and members of the state's congressional delegation, invited the team to alternative events.
The Philadelphia Eagles Football Team was invited to the White House. Unfortunately, only a small number of players decided to come, and we canceled the event. Staying in the Locker Room for the playing of our National Anthem is as disrespectful to our country as kneeling. Sorry!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 5, 2018
