New York Jets coach Robert Saleh sparked major controversy when he wore a Lebanon flag on his arm following the Israeli attacks on Beirut

New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh caused controversy during the team's NFL game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday in London.

The 45-year-old was spotted on the sidelines of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with a Lebanese flag beneath the Nike logo on the sleeve of his team hoodie.

The night before Sunday's game – the NFL's first international game of the season – Israeli bombings continued on Beirut, the Lebanese capital, amid the Israeli-Hezbollah war.

Hezbollah's stronghold in southern Beirut was hit by more than 30 attacks overnight that were heard across the city, and smoke was still rising from the site after dawn, Lebanon's official National News Agency said.

Saleh, who is of Lebanese descent, wore a similar patch last October, but his decision to wear the flag on Sunday caused a stir as the anniversary of the start of the war in Gaza approaches.

Jets head coach Robert Saleh sparked controversy when he wore a Lebanese flag on his sleeve

Smoke rises from a fire following an explosion following an Israeli attack in Beirut, Lebanon, early October 6

Saleh's attire after the attacks divided NFL fans on social media, with many angry while others defended his right to express pride in his heritage.

“Robert Saleh has undoubtedly angered much of the Jewish community in York with the Lebanon flag on his top,” shared a social media user X, formerly known as Twitter.

“What's wrong with this guy?” added another, while a third wrote: “I hope they leave Hezbollah Sally in London when the jets return to New York.”

The Jets suffered a humiliation at the hands of the Vikings in the first half of Sunday's game and were risking a tough loss until a last-second touchdown just before halftime.

And some social media users claimed that Saleh's political stance was not conducive to his job security.

“The bigger problem is the Lebanese flag on Saleh's sleeve,” one fan responded to another post criticizing the Jets' performance.

“I'm not sure Robert Saleh carrying the Lebanese flag, which he obviously added himself, will help him in his possession if his team is embarrassed again,” another added.

“Yeah – destroying my football team with his terrible coaching just doesn't seem enough,” chimed in a third.

Saleh's clothing choice sparked divisiveness and outrage among NFL fans on social media

However, others defended Saleh, emphasizing his Lebanese-American background.

One posted: “He's Lebanese American.” “Everyone else is allowed to be proud of their heritage, why should they?”

“Robert Saleh carrying the Lebanese flag is cool,” another account said in a post. “I would hope he talks or posts about what is happening to his people in Lebanon.”

A third echoed the argument, saying: “Good for him.” He's Lebanese and I'm sure that's for his people. He is probably on Israel's side. But when you carry that flag, you know he's going to be asked about it.”

“I'm Jewish, but he comes from Lebanon and sees his ancestral country at war.” “I can support Israel and understand that too,” said another.

Saleh was born in Dearborn, Michigan and is an American citizen, but his roots go back to Lebanon.

Others defended the head coach and highlighted his Lebanese-American background

His parents, Sam and Fatin, emigrated to the United States from the Middle East before his birth.

When he was hired as the Jets' head coach in 2021, Saleh became the first Muslim head coach in NFL history.

Airstrikes on Saturday evening lit up Beirut's skyline and loud explosions echoed across the southern suburbs known as Dahiyeh as Israel reportedly struck Hezbollah militant sites in Lebanon.

After Saturday's overnight airstrikes, the Israeli military confirmed it was attacking targets near Beirut and said about 30 projectiles crossed into Israeli territory from Lebanon and some were intercepted.

Saleh was born in Dearborn, Michigan and is an American citizen, but his roots go back to Lebanon

At least 1,400 Lebanese, including civilians, medics and Hezbollah fighters, have been killed and 1.2 million displaced from their homes in less than two weeks. Israel says it wants to expel the militant group from its border so that tens of thousands of Israeli citizens can return to their homes.

Iran-backed Hezbollah, Lebanon's strongest force, began firing rockets at Israel almost immediately after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, calling it a show of support for the Palestinians. Hezbollah and the Israeli military engage in firefights almost every day.

Last week, Israel launched what it said was a limited ground operation in southern Lebanon after a series of strikes killed longtime Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and most of his top commanders. The fighting is the worst since the month-long war between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006. Nine Israeli soldiers were killed in ground fighting that Israel said killed 440 Hezbollah fighters.

It is not possible to verify battlefield reports from both sides.