Robert Kraft says Ed Sheeran asked him to donate $2m to aid after Macklemore backlash

Share Save Add as preferred on Google Nardine Saad and Ian Youngs & Mark Savage Will Ed Sheeran cancel his tour as support acts quit? Robert Kraft, the US stadium owner who had pro-Palestinian rapper Macklemore removed as Ed Sheeran's opening act, says Sheeran asked him to match his own $2m (£1.5m) donation for "aid in the region".

It came after Macklemore said he would donate $1m (£750,000) to Palestinian organisations, challenging Kraft to match him.

Kraft, who owns the New England Patriots, wrote on Wednesday: "Earlier today, before Macklemore challenged me to match his donation, Ed called me and asked me to commit $2 million to match his donation to aid in the region to fight this humanitarian crisis.

"Ed now plans to reach out to other venue owners and our goal is to continue to work together to build bridges."