Melbourne Rebels forced to apologise for ‘tone deaf’ tweet
Melbourne Rebels have been forced to apologise for an embarrassing PR blunder on the eve of the Super Rugby season.
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Melbourne Rebels have been forced to apologise for an embarrassing PR blunder on the eve of the Super Rugby season.
On Tuesday The Rebels Twitter account celebrated a new commercial partnership with Thai Airways, a company whose government is the majority shareholder.
The tweet came under heavy criticism as Australian refugee Hakeem Al-Araibi languishes in a Thai prison with the threat of being extradited back to Bahrain a very real possibility.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and the federal government have widely condemned Thailand’s handling of Hakeem, as has Football Federation Australia who cancelled a scheduled Olyroos camp in the country.
While the Rebels were quick to apologise, the “partnership” tweet remains on the club’s feed.
“We have not meant to cause any offence with this announcement and apologise unreservedly if it has done so,” the Rebels statement said.
“This commercial relationship with an airline is no way intended to be an endorsement for the breach of any individual’s rights or the actions of any government.
The Melbourne Rebels are thrilled to continue the commercial momentum the Club is building ahead of the 2019 season by officially announcing a new partnership with @ThaiAirways. pic.twitter.com/vS8PLCxni5
— Melbourne Rebels (@MelbourneRebels) February 5, 2019
“We support the movement to #SaveHakeem and will use our new relationship with the airline to engage them directly.”
Things are looking better on the field for the Melbourne-base franchise after building one of the strongest rosters in the competition.
Adding Quade Cooper was the cherry on top for the club after picking the bones of a dispersed Western Force roster.
— Melbourne Rebels (@MelbourneRebels) February 5, 2019
Disgraceful. The @MelbourneRebels are tone deaf to the people of Australia. A fellow athlete is being held illegally in Thailand and they announce this.#SaveHakeem #BoycottThailand #BoycottSuperRugby #BoycottThaiAirways https://t.co/h8UY8aHtiy
— Brogan - Firewire Digital (@firewiredigital) February 5, 2019
Important for @MelbourneRebels to show solidarity with their sporting brethren, inc @iocmedia @FIFAcom and so many individual sportspeople by publicly showing their commitment to #SaveHakeem - before this backlash really takes hold https://t.co/TSjdzcZhKG
— Amnesty International Australia 🕯 (@amnestyOz) February 5, 2019
guys... read the room #savehakeem https://t.co/CS6mnaSD0U
— Vince Rugari (@VinceRugari) February 5, 2019
Originally published as Melbourne Rebels forced to apologise for ‘tone deaf’ tweet
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