Followers at WWE Elimination Chamber in Toronto booed “The Star-Spangled Banner” forward of the occasion Saturday night time.
American singer Elizabeth Irving carried out the U.S. nationwide anthem as a refrain of boos rained down. Irving additionally sings the nationwide anthem forward of Vancouver Canucks and Vancouver Whitecaps video games.
Star sports activities commentator Pat McAfee loudly lambasted the Canadian followers for booing, and the nation as an entire, in response in the course of the Peacock broadcast.
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“It type of sucks that it is within the horrible nation of Canada that booed our nationwide anthem to start out this complete factor,” McAfee shouted on the broadcast desk.
Toronto’s booing of the anthem comes per week after hockey followers from each international locations booed one another’s anthems.
In the course of the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off exhibition event from Feb. 12-20, followers in Canada booed the U.S. nationwide anthem whereas followers within the U.S. booed the Canadian nationwide anthem forward of a number of video games.
It began Feb. 13, when Canadian followers in Montreal booed the U.S. nationwide anthem after President Donald Trump’s latest threats to impose tariffs on Canada whereas additionally suggesting the nation ought to develop into America’s 51st state.
The booing prompted a flurry of brawls between Canadian and U.S. gamers within the first assembly of the event between the 2 groups Feb. 15. The U.S. received that recreation 3-1.
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The Canadian nationwide anthem was then booed at TD Backyard in Boston earlier than a 4 Nations recreation between Canada and Finland.
The U.S. and Canada then met within the last Feb. 20, and American followers in Boston as soon as once more booed the Canadian nationwide anthem, albeit with a lighter tone. Canada received the sport in time beyond regulation, 3-2.
Since then, hostile rhetoric between the 2 international locations, together with in sports activities, has solely escalated.
Canadian males’s soccer coach Jesse Marsch blasted Trump for his “51st state” remarks, calling them “insulting” Wednesday.
Throughout CONCACAF Nations League media day Wednesday, Marsch didn’t maintain again his opinion on Trump’s feedback, saying he was “ashamed” of how Canada was insulted by the president.
“If I’ve one message to our president, it’s lay off the ridiculous rhetoric about Canada being the 51st state,” Marsch stated. “As an American, I’m ashamed of the vanity and disrespect we’ve proven certainly one of our traditionally oldest, strongest and most loyal allies. However one factor’s for certain, after I look ahead a month from now, it will gas our group. The mentality now we have, the need now we have to play for our nation.”
NHL legend Wayne Gretzky has additionally been criticized by fellow Canadians for his obvious assist of Trump.
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Trump not too long ago stated he requested Gretzky to develop into the subsequent “governor of Canada” after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau introduced he could be resigning.
However after Gretzky expressed assist for “Canada remaining a separate Nation, reasonably than turning into a cherished and delightful 51st State,” Trump declared Gretzky a “free agent.”
That prompted hockey legend Bobby Orr, a fellow Canadian, to jot down within the Toronto Solar that he was disillusioned to learn criticism about Gretzky, somebody he considers one of many “best Canadians ever.”
“How fickle can individuals be, when somebody who has given a lot effort and time to Canadian hockey is handled in such a method,” Orr wrote. “Hear, all of us have our private beliefs as they pertain to issues resembling faith and politics. Wayne respects your proper to such beliefs – why can’t you respect his?”
Janet Gretzky, Wayne’s spouse, learn Orr’s column, and she or he reacted on social media.
“Thanks Mr. Bobby Orr. Your phrases imply the world to Wayne and his household , i’ve by no means met anybody who’s extra Proud to be a Canadian and it has damaged his coronary heart to learn and see the imply feedback . . He would do something to make Canadians Proud , together with his Love for Hockey and his Nation,” Janet wrote in an Instagram put up by which she shared Orr’s column.
Trump agreed Feb. 3 to pause tariffs for 30 days, which suggests they’re anticipated to be imposed in early March. The tariffs imposed on Canada by Trump are a response to drug trafficking on the U.S.-Canadian border.
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