Donald Trump slams Dr. Anthony Fauci for cautioning the NFL to start its season in a 'bubble' to limit COVID risk - and says he won't watch if 'players don't stand for our National Anthem!'

President Donald Trump has slammed Dr. Anthony Fauci for warning the NFL to follow the NBA's lead by creating a controlled campus environment or a 'bubble' in a centralized location in order to return safely from the ongoing outbreak.

Fauci, who leads the White House task force on COVID-19, has football the 'perfect setup' for rapid spread of the coronavirus due to close and near-constant contact.

'Tony Fauci has nothing to do with NFL Football,' Trump tweeted Friday. 'They are planning a very safe and controlled opening.'

The NFL plans to have all players report to their respective training camps in July — 28 teams report on July 28 — but reportedly has considered reducing the number of preseason games from the typical four, as scheduled, to two per team. The regular season is scheduled to start September 10.

Meanwhile the NBA, MLS and WNBA are moving ahead with plans to resume seasons delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic by setting up campus environments or 'bubbles' to help control the spread of the novel coronavirus through isolation and minimal contact with outsiders who might be positive for the virus.

On Thursday, Fauci told CNN that the NBA's approach was smarter.

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President Donald Trump has slammed Dr. Anthony Fauci (right), who leads the White House task force on COVID-19, for warning the NFL to follow the NBA 's lead by creating a controlled campus environment or a 'bubble' in a centralized location in order to return safely from the ongoing outbreak

In addition to dismissing Fauci's concerns, Trump also threatened to boycott the NFL again 

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Colin Kaepernick causd controversy by kneeling during the national anthen in 2016. Recently Trump said that the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback, a frequent target of his, should get another chance in the NFL 'if he deserves it'

'Unless players are essentially in a bubble — insulated from the community and they are tested nearly every day — it would be very hard to see how football is able to be played this fall,' Fauci. 'If there is a second wave, which is certainly a possibility and which would be complicated by the predictable flu season, football may not happen this year.'

NFL medical director Dr. Allen Sills responded to Fauci on Thursday, describing the league testing program without giving any indication that a bubble will be created.

'Dr. Fauci has identified the important health and safety issue we and the NFL Players Association, together with our joint medical advisors, are addressing to mitigate the health risk to players, coaches and other essential personnel,' read the statement from Sills.

Trump's interest in the NFL has recently been reignited by the national debate over NFL players protesting racism by kneeling during the national anthem — demonstrations that he has persistently criticized since late 2017.

On Friday, Trump ended his tweet about Fauci by writing: 'If [NFL players] don't stand for our National Anthem and our Great American Flag, I won't be watching!!!'

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Football may not happen this year, Dr. Anthony Fauci tells @drsanjaygupta.
“Unless players are essentially in a bubble – insulated from the community and they are tested nearly every day – it would be very hard to see how football is able to be played this fall.”

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NFL commissioner Roger Goodell (pictured) plans to have all players report to training camp in July - 28 teams report on July 28 - but reportedly has considered reducing the number of preseason games from the typical four, as scheduled, to two per team

Recently Trump said that former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, a frequent target of his, should get another chance in the NFL 'if he deserves it.'

'If he deserves it, he should, if he has the playing ability' Trump told Scott Thurman, a reporter for Sinclair. 'He started off great and then he didn't end up very great in terms as a player.

'He was terrific in his rookie year, I think he was very good in his second year and then something happened.'

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NFL's medical director Dr. Allen Sills (pictured) responded to Fauci, saying the league is developing a 'comprehensive rapid-result testing program' but gave no indication that a 'bubble' will be created 

'So, his playing wasn't up to snuff,' Trump continued. 'The answer is absolutely I would, as far as kneeling, I would love to see him get another shot. But obviously, he has to be able to play well. If he can't play well, I think it would be very unfair.'

Kaepernick has not played in the NFL since opting out of his contract with the San Francisco 49ers in anticipation of his release following the 2016 season, when he began protesting racist police brutality by kneeling during the national anthem.

At least one team, the Los Angeles Chargers, is keeping tabs on Kaepernick, according to coach Anthony Lynn, who described the embattled quarterback as a good 'fit' for his offense.

'It would be crazy to not have him on your workout list,' Lynn said Wednesday.

Trump appeared to misremember the timeline of Kaepernick's career. The former University of Nevada star appeared in only three games as a rookie before his breakout second season.

Kaepernick guided the 49ers to three NFC title games and a Super Bowl before losing his starting job in 2015 amid a string of injuries. He reclaimed the starter's job in 2016, but was informed by the team's incoming coaches after the season that he would be replaced.

Trump has previously called on NFL owners to banish players who kneel during the anthem. While referencing protesting NFL players during a 2017 rally, Trump said owners should 'get that son of a b**** off the field.'