Billionaire stadium owner Robert Kraft says Ed Sheeran asked him to match a $2 million donation to help address the humanitarian crisis in the region. The claim follows allegations that Kraft pressured Sheeran’s tour to remove opening act Macklemore after the rapper made pro-Palestinian remarks during performances.

Kraft denied the wider controversy in his statement, saying he supports efforts bringing Palestinians and Israelis together, while the intended recipient of the donation remains unknown. Sheeran said he has personal views on the conflict but avoids political statements at concerts, and Macklemore’s activism has also drawn renewed scrutiny over a previously criticised costume and disputed claims about an image.