Featured Image Credit: Manly Sea Eagles
Topics: Australia
Stewart Perrie
People are calling for the NRL players who are refusing to wear a pride jersey to be sacked.
Several players from the Manly Sea Eagles have revealed they are boycotting Thursday's match against the Roosters because they don't want to be forced into donning the special top.
Manly was set to become the first club in NRL history to have a pride jersey, which features several rainbow lines going around it.
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The players in question are Josh Aloiai, Jason Saab, Christian Tuipulotu, Josh Schuster, Haumole Olakau’atu, Tolu Koula and Toafofoa Sipley, according to The Age.
They cited 'cultural and religious' grounds as the reasons for not wearing the jersey.
However, 7News reports three players have had a change of heart and will consider wearing the top.
The Sea Eagles was hoping to celebrate inclusivity with the new look uniform and people on social media believe the club should sack these players to send a message.
One person wrote on Twitter: "Should boycott the Manly Sea Eagles until they’re sacked."
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Another added: "The club have a right to determine the jersey that their employees wear. If the employees don’t wish to wear them then they should be disciplined and probably sacked. NRL need to help Manly by deregistering those players and telling them they are not welcome in our game."
People have also been pointing how some of the players have claimed their religion couldn't support the LGBTQIA+ community, however they don't seem to mind that their club is sponsored by a gambling company.
News Corp's Sam Clench wrote in a blistering op-ed: "None of the rebels, in their great moral fervour, have expressed any qualms about promoting gambling, despite its corrosive effect on those who become addicted.
"The word PointsBet has been plastered across their chests all season.
"Nor have they objected to their home ground bearing the name of a brewery, when alcoholism destroys so many lives."
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While some of the Sea Eagles players might not want to have anything to do with the pride jersey, it looks like it's a massive hit for fans.
According to The Guardian, the jerseys have completely sold out online.
When the Sea Eagles announced the pride top, they said they will 'proudly wear a rainbow-detailed jersey to celebrate inclusiveness'.
Interim Sea Eagles CEO Gary Wolman said they were proud of the jersey and what it means for the LGBTQIA+ community.
“The Sea Eagles have such a rich and diverse history in rugby league and in the community,’’ Wolman said.
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“To be able to bring this concept to life with Dynasty sport is a fantastic achievement and we are pleased to be able to share such an important message that means so much to many people in the community.”