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

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.”

Kraft did not confirm whether he has agreed to make the $2m donation and where the funds would go, and this is the first time it has been suggested Sheeran had donated that sum.

The musician has not commented about any donation he is making or other philanthropic plans.

Kraft’s comments came in his second statement this week on the controversy over Sheeran’s US tour.

On Monday, he confirmed he had Macklemore dropped as the opening act for the British singer’s forthcoming performance at his Gillette Stadium near Boston, accusing the rapper of hate speech during a previous show for calling for “Free Palestine” and making other comments and showing images of Gaza on stage.

Macklemore’s removal sparked a backlash, with Sheeran’s other support acts dropping out in protest.

Sheeran has said the decision to drop Macklemore from his Loop Tour was made by promoters and that he would not be drawn into a public debate over Gaza.