New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh sparked controversy during the team’s NFL game against the Minnesota Vikings in London on Sunday.
The 45-year-old was spotted on the sidelines at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium wearing a Lebanese flag below the Nike logo on the sleeve of his team hoodie.
The night before Sunday’s game – the first of the NFL’s international fixtures this season – Israeli bombing continued on Beirut, the Lebanese capital, amid the Israel-Hezbollah war.
The Hezbollah stronghold in south Beirut was hit by more than 30 strikes overnight, which were heard across the city, with smoke still seen billowing from the site after dawn, Lebanon’s official National News Agency said.
Saleh, who is of Lebanese heritage, previously wore a similar patch last October but his decision to bear the flag Sunday raised eyebrows as the anniversary of the beginning of the war in Gaza approaches.
Jets head coach Robert Saleh sparked controversy by wearing a Lebanese flag on his sleeve
Smoke rises from a fire after an explosion following an Israeli strike in Beirut, Lebanon, early October 6
Saleh’s clothing in the wake of the attacks left NFL fans divided on social media with many furious, while others defended his right to express pride in his heritage.
‘Robert saleh p***ing off a lot of the Jew York community with the Lebanon flag on his top no doubt,’ one social media user shared to X, formerly known as Twitter.
‘What a t**d that guy is,’ another added, while a third wrote: ‘I hope they leave Hezbollah Sally in London when the Jets come back to New York.’
The Jets suffered humiliation at the hands of the Vikings throughout the first half of Sunday’s game, risking a blowout defeat until a last-gasp touchdown on the brink of halftime.
And some social media users claimed that Saleh’s political stance would not help his job security.
‘Bigger issue is the Lebanese flag on saleh’s sleeve,’ one fan said, replying to another post criticizing the Jets’ performance.
‘I am not sure that Robert Saleh wearing the Lebanese Flag, which he obviously added on his own, is going to help him with his ownership as his team gets embarrassed again,’ another added.
‘Yup – seems destroying my football team with his horrendous coaching just isn’t enough,’ a third chimed in.
Saleh’s clothing choice left NFL fans divided on social media with many furious
However, others defended Saleh, highlighting his Lebanese-American background.
One posted: ‘He’s Lebanese American. Everyone else is allowed to be proud of their heritage why should he?’
‘Robert Saleh sporting the Lebanese flag is cool,’ a post from another account read. ‘Would hope he talks or posts about what’s happening to his people in Lebanon .’
A third echoed the argument, saying: ‘Good for him. He’s Lebanese and I’m sure this is for his people. He’s probably on Israel’s side. But wearing that flag you know he’s going to be asked about it.’
‘I’m Jewish but come on he’s from Lebanon and seeing the country of his ancestors at war. I can support Israel and understand this too,’ another said.
Born in Dearborn, Michigan, Saleh is an American citizen but his roots trace back to Lebanon.
Others defended the head coach, highlighting his Lebanese-American background
His parents, Sam and Fatin, emigrated from the Middle East to the United States before he was born.
Upon his hiring as the Jets’ head coach in 2021, Saleh became the first Muslim head coach in the history of the NFL.
Airstrikes Saturday night lit up Beirut’s skyline and loud explosions echoed across the southern suburbs, known as the Dahiyeh, as Israel struck what it said were Hezbollah militant sites in Lebanon.
Following the overnight airstrikes Saturday, Israel’s military confirmed it was striking targets near Beirut and said about 30 projectiles had crossed from Lebanon into Israeli territory, with some intercepted.
Born in Dearborn, Michigan, Saleh is an American citizen but his roots trace back to Lebanon
At least 1,400 Lebanese, including civilians, medics and Hezbollah fighters, have been killed and 1.2 million driven from their homes in less than two weeks. Israel says it aims to drive the militant group away from its border so that tens of thousands of Israeli citizens can return to their homes.
Iranian-backed Hezbollah, the strongest armed force in Lebanon, began firing rockets into Israel almost immediately after Hamas’ October 7 attack, calling it a show of support for the Palestinians. Hezbollah and Israel’s military have traded fire almost daily.
Last week, Israel launched what it said was a limited ground operation into southern Lebanon after a series of attacks killed longtime Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and most of his top commanders. The fighting is the worst since Israel and Hezbollah fought a monthlong war in 2006. Nine Israeli soldiers have been killed in ground clashes that Israel says have killed 440 Hezbollah fighters.
It is not possible to verify battlefield reports from either side.
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