Shocking moment older spectator slaps young sports fan for not standing up during US national anthem in viral video

THIS is the shocking moment an old man slaps a young sports fan for not standing during the United States national anthem. In the viral video, the older spectator can be heard yelling “get up” to the younger man during the performance at a Chicago Cubs baseball game. Shocking footage shows an angry spectator yell at a younger man for failing to stand during the US national anthem He then aggressively smacks the man in the back of the head He then leans down to whisper something in the seated man’s ear, before hitting him aggressively on the back of the head. Bemused spectators watch on as the young man stands up in shock. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! The older spectator then says: “Thank you, thank you so much young man,” as the camera pans away to the field. Online opinion has been divided over the shocking clip, which has amassed nearly 10 million views on X. Some users said that the younger man should show some respect for his country, but others deemed the older spectator’s actions too much. One joked: “Should have made him sing too just for trying to pull that”. Another wrote: “More people should insist on respect from everyone around them for our country,” alongside an American flag emoji. But the smack has also provoked outrage from others, who have said it was “evidence of a crime” being recorded. Most read in The Sun One commenter wrote: “Old dude had absolutely no right to touch him. A real patriot would have not assaulted that guy.” Others pointed to the First Amendment, which emphasised US citizens’ rights to freedom of speech and expression. “It’s his right to sit,” one fumed. “That’s what this country is about, freedom. He’s still a d–he but this ain’t a dictatorship, either.” Legal experts noted that the man’s actions could constitute battery, but it appears that no further action has been taken thus far. It comes a few weeks after the United States celebrated its 250th anniversary with a slew of patriotic events. UFC fans were left emotional after a stunning performance of the American national anthem kicked off a historic night of fights at the White House on June 14. The promotion staged UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn in Washington DC, with the event marking a huge celebration for the country. President Donald Trump, who turned 80 at the event, was in attendance for the landmark card and stood alongside UFC boss Dana White before the action got underway. And the night opened in spectacular fashion as the Zac Brown Band performed The Star-Spangled Banner. Trump was seen saluting during the anthem as the crowd watched on during the patriotic scenes. The performance was followed by a dramatic flyover while music blasted around the White House grounds. Comment now