By Charlie Carmichael-
Seven players from Australian rugby league side Manly Sea Eagles will not play this week after refusing to wear the club’s one-off Pride jersey due to “cultural and religious” beliefs, the club’s coach revealed today.
The Sydney-based Sea Eagles announced plans to don the rainbow-themed uniforms for a crucial match against the Sydney Roosters on Thursday, intended to celebrate gay pride day, but forgot to consult all the players ahead of time. The players made clear they will exempt themselves from the match due to their religious beliefs against homosexual activities.
The move unveiled earlier this week was to promote inclusivity and respect.
It is the first time a club in the National Rugby League has had a Pride jersey, which shows support for the LGBTQ community.
As a result of the withdrawals from the game, the Sea Eagles were also struggling to name a team as a “handful of would-be first timers knocked back a chance to play the game” because of similar reasons to the seven players who have stood down over the jersey.
“The players will not play on Thursday, and we accept their decision,” an emotional Hasler told reporters at a media conference on Tuesday.
“These young men are strong in their beliefs and their convictions, and we will give them the space and the support they require.”
Manly announced on Monday the team would wear the jersey which has rainbow bands as a symbol of “inclusiveness”
The club announced a decimated 20-man squad for their must-win Thursday night contest against the Sydney Roosters.
Dealing with the player revolt fallout, the club scrambled to piece together a line-up for the first game of round 20.
It comes after seven players sensationally stood themselves down after the club announced the pride jersey – featuring rainbow stripes and trim – would be worn as a one-off for their NRL match against the Sydney Roosters.
Josh Aloiai, Jason Saab, Christian Tuipulotu, Josh Schuster, Haumole Olakau’atu, Tolutau Koula and Toafofoa Sipley were reportedly opposed to wearing the jersey due to religious beliefs.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Hasler confirmed those seven players would not play in Thursday’s game at 4 Pines Park in Brookvale, where the Sea Eagles will become the first NRL club to wear an LGBTQIA jersey.
Apology
“We are here today to apologise for a significant mistake made by the Manly Sea Eagles football club,” he said.
“The jersey’s intent was to support the advocacy and human rights pertaining to gender, race, culture, ability and LGBTQ movements.
“Sadly, the execution of what was intended to be an extremely important initiative was poor. There was little consultation or collaboration between key stakeholders, both inside and outside the club.
“Our intent was to be caring and compassionate towards all diverse groups who face inclusion issues daily. However, instead of enhancing tolerance and acceptance, we may have hindered this. This was the opposite of our intent.
“This poor mismanagement has caused significant confusion, discomfort and pain for many people.
“We wish to apologise to the LGBTQ community who embrace the rainbow colour for pride and advocacy and human rights issues. We accept your cultural beliefs and hope that you can accept our apology.
“We wish to apologise to the Australian Rugby League Commission, the NRL and the other 15 NRL clubs for creating negative news, shifting the spotlight from the launch of the Women in League round.
“We wish to apologise to our own playing group and staff for any confusion, discomfort and pain that the mistake we have made may have caused them.
“There are always going to be subsets of society who have cultural and religious views, and they must always be considered.
“None of the coaching staff nor the players had prior knowledge of the jersey. They are not wearing the jersey as it conflicts with their cultural and religious beliefs, and I am concerned for their welfare. Their spirituality is a central part of their well being. The club has made an error from which it will learn.
“The (seven) players will not play on Thursday, and we accept their decision. These young men are strong in their beliefs and convictions, and we will give them the space and the support they require.
“Whilst we have come a long way as a society, there‘s still no doubt much work to be done, particularly in education.
“For any person struggling with identity, we acknowledge the challenges and difficulties. My heart goes out to you and your families, and if the club can personally do anything to assist, we will. We are here, we offer our complete support.
“I apologise to anyone to whom this matter has caused distress.”
Former Manly great Ian Roberts, the first professional rugby league player to come out as gay, said the players’ opposition to the jersey was “sad and uncomfortable.”
“I can promise you every young kid on the northern beaches (of Sydney) who is dealing with their sexuality would have heard about this,” he told Sydney’s Daily Telegraph
But Manly coach Des Hasler apologised for “the mistakes we have made” and its fallout, saying it was a “significant mistake” for the club not to consult with players.
“None of the coaching staff nor the players had prior knowledge of the jersey. They are not wearing the jersey as it conflicts with their cultural and religious beliefs,” Hasler told a press conference.
“The intent of the rainbow colour application of our jersey was to represent diversity and inclusion for all, utilising the symbolic colours of pride to embrace all groups who feel marginalised and faced discrimination and have a suppressed share of voice.
“The jersey intent was to support the advocacy and human rights pertaining to gender, race culture, ability and LGBTQ rights. Sadly, the execution of what was intended to be an extremely important initiative was poor.
“There was little consultation or collaboration with key stakeholder, both inside and outside the club. Sadly, this poor management … has caused significant confusion, discomfort and pain for many people. In particular, those groups whose human rights we were, in fact, attempting to support.
“We have even adversely affected our player group, a wonderful group of people comprising of many different racial and cultural backgrounds. We wish to sincerely apologise for the mistakes we have made.”
Captain Daly Cherry-Evans said he would proudly wear the jersey on Thursday night, and the kit has already sold out on the club’s shop.
Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys told reporters that he respected the players’ position, but that Manly could have “handled it better”.
“I think that they showed some great leadership in supporting their players and that’s what we should do. But at the same time, recognise that sport is inclusive and is for everybody,” V’landys said.
Similar initiatives have been part of some Australian rules football teams for several years, such as the Sydney Swans and St Kilda, who played a Pride Game in June.
However, earlier this year, Haneen Zreika of the Greater Western Sydney Giants AFL women’s side, opted to not play in the competition’s Pride round citing her faith.
“I certainly hope this is resolved,” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Tuesday.
“It’s a good thing that sport is more inclusive… It’s important in Australian society that we respect everyone for who they are.”