Actor Steven Seagal has accused National Football League players who protest by taking a knee during the national anthem of holding the world hostage.

The 65-year-old Michigan-born action-movie star, who became a Russian citizen in November 2016, dubbed the pregame protests which President Donald Trump has attacked in recent days as outrageous, a joke and disgusting during Wednesdays broadcast of Good Morning Britain.

I believe in free speech, I believe that everyones entitled to their own opinion, said Seagal, speaking live from Moscow.

But I dont agree that they should hold the United States of America or the world hostage by taking a venue where people are tuning in to watch a football game and imposing their political views, he added.