The Australian rules football club has been forced to apologize for the decision to launch LGBT pride uniforms after some members of the professional team refused to play in the match for this week’s promotional activities.
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles rugby league coach Des Hasler has now voluntarily dropped seven players from a match against the Sydney Roosters on Thursday, reducing the team from 15 to 8. He said he was disappointed.
Hustler told reporters on Tuesday that he “apologized for the confusion, discomfort and pain we committed could have caused them” to Manly’s players and staff.
“We accept your cultural beliefs and hope you can accept our apologies,” he said. Said..
Hustler emphasized that the pride jersey was well-meaning, but recognized that dramas resulting from inadequate enforcement initiatives could have adversely affected LGBT and other minority groups.
“We want to apologize to minority groups within the community who accept rainbow colors as a symbol of who they are, what they represent, and their ardent support,” he said.
Hassler also created negative news for the Australian Rugby League Commission and 15 other National Rugby League (NRL) clubs, shifting the spotlight from where it was supposed to be this week, the Women’s Rugby League Tournament, We apologize for the start of the Women in League Round.
The club could have handled it better
Australian Rugby League (ARL) boss Peter V’landys told reporters Tuesday that Manly must have been better able to deal with it.
“They should have been more collaborative with the players. They should have respected the players. They shouldn’t just throw it at them,” he said. Said..
“Look, I can understand the position of the player, I really understand. They have their religious and cultural beliefs, and I respect it, and so Manly, they admit themselves that they were able to handle it better. “
But Vlandies, who knew only about Manly’s initiative on Monday, upheld Manly’s intentions.
“One of the things I’m proud of in the rugby league is treating everyone the same,” he said.
“We are all human, no matter what your color is, what your sexual orientation is, what your race is. We are all equal and inclusive of sports. You will never go back by doing it.
“But at the same time, we don’t downplay the freedom of those players, and they have those freedoms, and if they don’t want to play, I respect it,” he said. Told.
It’s not the first time an Australian soccer player has refused to wear pride jersey
The boycott of Manly’s seven players will take place after Greater Western Sydney Giants Australian Football League (AFL) players also choose to participate in the pride round in January.
Honeyn Zureika, the first Islamic player to play in the AFL Women’s Competition, has withdrawn from the match after a lot of deliberation for religious reasons, News.com reports.
She has previously played in the 2021 pride round where the Giants did not wear a pride jersey and supports her teammates and their beliefs, but understands that this year the decision was based on their Muslim position. It has been. community.
Meanwhile, the West Coast Eagles were criticized this year as the only AFLW team not wearing a pride jersey, and team coach Michael Pryor faced criticism for refusing to comment on the issue.
“I’m talking about football, not what we’re wearing. To be honest, I think we’ve killed Pride,” Pride said.
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Steve is a Sydney-based Australian reporter with sports, arts and politics. He is an experienced English teacher, a qualified nutritionist, a sports enthusiast, and an amateur musician. Contact him at [email protected]