Maroon 5 have been confirmed as the 2019 Super Bowl half-time show headliners – alongside rappers Travis Scott and Big Boi. It’s one of the biggest gigs in the world – more than 100 million people watched Justin Timberlake’s 2018 show. But Maroon 5’s decision to perform next month isn’t without controversy. There have been calls for them to pull out because of the NFL’s stance over some players refusing to stand when the US national anthem is played. The Super Bowl half-time show takes place during the NFL’s championship game, and artists who’ve performed there include Beyonce and Lady Gaga. But it’s been rumoured that some big stars – including Rihanna and Cardi B – have refused to perform at the show. Since 2016, some American football players have refused to stand when the US national anthem is played at NFL games in protest against the treatment of black people in the US. It was started by former San Francisco 49ers player Colin Kaepernick, who first sat and later kneeled while other players stood. Published in Daily Times, January 15th 2019.