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London (AFP)

Three members of the Miami Dolphins ignored President Donald Trump's demand to stand for the US national anthem on Sunday, taking a knee before their team's match against the New Orleans Saints at Wembley.

A week after a wave of protests shook the National Football League in response to a tirade by Trump, wide receiver Kenny Stills, tight end Julius Thomas and safety Michael Thomas dropped to one knee for the singing of The Star-Spangled Banner.

Trump angered NFL stars, team owners and league officials on September 22 after describing players who had protested against racial injustice by refusing to stand for the anthem as "sons of bitches."

Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began the protest in 2016 following the deaths of several African-American men during confrontations with police.

More than 150 players across the league kneeled or sat down during the playing of the anthem last week.

The move drew criticism from Trump and fans, with accusations that the protesting players were disrespecting the national anthem and the US military.

On Saturday, Trump again raised the issue on Twitter demanding players stand for the anthem.

"Very important that NFL players STAND tomorrow, and always, for the playing of our National Anthem. Respect our Flag and our Country!" Trump wrote.

US live television coverage of the Dolphins-Saints game on the Fox Sports network showed only one, fleeting wide-angle image of the kneeling Dolphins players.

Fox Sports had earlier said the London game would be the only fixture this weekend where live coverage of the anthems would be broadcast.

"As we have in previous broadcasts of NFL games from London, Fox will show the National Anthem as well as God Save the Queen live," Fox said in a statement.

"As is standard procedure, regionalized coverage of NFL game airing on FOX this Sunday will not show the National Anthem live; however, our cameras are always rolling and we will document the response of players and coaches on the field," the network told Sports Illustrated.

© 2017 AFP