DIGGING deeper into a culture war that he’s repeatedly stoked, United States President Donald Trump called off a visit to the White House by the Philadelphia Eagles today, citing the dispute over whether NFL players protesting against racial injustice must stand during the playing of the national anthem.

Trump said in a statement yesterday that some members of the Super Bowl championship team “disagree with their president because he insists that they proudly stand for the national anthem, hand on heart, in honour of the great men and women of our military and the people of our country.”

He said the team wanted to send a smaller delegation today, but “the 1,000 fans planning to attend the event deserve better.”