Manly gay pride jersey
Manly Sea Eagles players to boycott NRL match over parade jersey
Seven players from Australian National Rugby League team Manly Sea Eagles will boycott a championship match this week in protest at being made to wear an "inclusiveness" jersey, triggering criticism from the club's first openly same-sex attracted player.
Manly coach Des Hasler said the players were opposed to wearing the pride jersey on "religious and cultural" grounds and would not play the home match against Sydney Roosters on Thursday.
"The players will not play on Thursday, and we accept their decision," an emotional Hasler told reporters at a media conference on Tuesday.
"These fresh men are robust in their opinions 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".
‘It was a warning’: Manly boss’ big admission leaves door open to celebration jersey backflip
The Manly Sea Eagles are yet to decide whether they will wear the infamous identity festival jersey following the saga that derailed their campaign.
The rainbow-trimmed strip, which was introduced to represent members of the LGBTQIA+, blew up in Manly powerbrokers’ faces as seven players stood down due to religious beliefs.
The Sea Eagles were widely criticised for their handling of the situation with players claiming they were not properly consulted.
Watch every match of the Rugby League Society Cup LIVE & Exclusive to Fox Sports, on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
MORE WORLD CUP NEWS
TALKING POINTS: Cleary headache Mal doesn’t need; Samoan sparks $1m problem
‘NEVER FORGET’: Inside Samoa’s epic WC celebrations, Paulo’s emotional speech
‘EVERYONE KNOWS WE ARE Earth CLASS: Kangaroos star’s All Blacks call
‘MICROSCOPE OVER US’: How Broncos disaster is fuelling Carrigan’s WC mission
Des Hasler was sacked in the wake of the pride jersey saga after his side lost the
Manly Sea Eagles: Tolutau Koula, Haumole Olakau'atu open up on "pride" jersey boycott
Two of the seven Manly players who declined to wear a "pride" jersey in Australia's National Rugby League (NRL) have broken their silence on the furore, saying they desire people can respect their verdict and move on.
The players stood down from an NRL pair against the Sydney Roosters in July on religious and cultural grounds rather than wear the rainbow-decorated jersey, which was intended to symbolise inclusiveness.
Their boycott, which had their coach's blessing, triggered a firestorm of criticism from LGBTQ+ groups and ignited a debate about how to offset religious freedom with inclusion.
Two of the boycotters, Manly forward Haumole Olakau'atu and teammate Tolutau Koula, looked back on the episode as a difficult time but made no apologies for their stand.
"I don't know what else to say. I hope everyone just respects our decision and moves on," year-old Olakau'atu told Sydney's Daily Telegraph after coaching with Tonga at the Rugby League World Cup in England. "My faith comes first bef
Manly seven set for gigantic pride jersey backflip after secret meeting revealed
Manly Sea Eagles owner Scott Penn has revealed the club’s rainbow-trimmed pride jersey will be back next year — and the seven players who stood down are open to donning the kit.
Josh Aloiai, Jason Saab, Christian Tuipulotu, Josh Schuster, Haumole Olakau’atu, Tolutau Koula and Toafofoa Sipley have all withdrawn from the Roosters clash on religious grounds.
Following meetings between the group and the club’s owner, the players have revealed they would be willing to obtain part in representing members of the LGBTQIA people, according to 9News.
Stream every game of every curved of the NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Compete on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
Penn revealed that the players who have decided to rest out were “frustrated” about the club’s lack of consultation with the playing group surrounding the jersey.
“I think they were somewhat frustrated that it went as far as it did without consultation, and we respect that,” Manly owner Scott Penn sai