NBA rules prohibit players from kneeling during the national anthem

The NBA's decision comes as protests against President Donald Trump mount over the playing of the US national anthem in sports competitions.

In the latest announcement, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said that the 2017-2018 NBA season will have a rule prohibiting players from kneeling during the national anthem before each game.

"We have a rule that requires players to stand during the national anthem. That's a rule that applies to everyone who participates in the NBA. I expect players to respect that and stand during the national anthem," Adam Silver told the media.

NBA stars will be required to stand during the US national anthem next season.

The NBA currently has a quarter of its players from countries outside the United States. The organizers of the world's number one basketball league hope that the national anthem ceremony will help the players on each team bond and enhance the spirit of unity.

The kneeling movement during the US national anthem was initiated by NFL players to protest the injustices that people of color have to endure in American society. This action is seen as aimed directly at the policies of President Donald Trump.

Mr. Trump then called on players to stop kneeling during the national anthem, even asking the NFL to take appropriate punishments for those who "disrespect the American national anthem." However, this statement of the President was immediately opposed by a series of black stars in the NBA, including the most influential names such as LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Kobe Bryant.

LeBron James publicly opposes President Donald Trump's comments.

LeBron James shared in the Cleveland Cavaliers' pre-season press conference: "Players in any sport have the right to speak their mind. That's our freedom of speech. The act of kneeling will inspire black people who are treated unfairly in this society. I hope it will impact the improvement of the policies that the current administration is applying."

Meanwhile, former star Kobe Bryant mocked Donald Trump with his own presidential campaign slogan last year: "He is single-handedly creating division and anger. His words that inspire injustice and hatred cannot make America great again."

According to VNE