Manly players boycotting pride jersey won’t attend Thursday night match

A fresh layer has been added to the ongoing pride jersey scandal that has consumed the Manly Sea Eagles and the NRL world.

The Manly Sea Eagles players who are boycotting their club’s game on Thursday night now won’t attend the match for security reasons.

Seven players won’t feature against the Sydney Roosters at Four Pines Park over the club’s decision to wear an LGBTQIA-themed jersey.

Josh Aloiai, Jason Saab, Christian Tuipulotu, Josh Schuster, Haumole Olakau’atu, Tolutau Koula and Toafofoa Sipley have all withdrawn on religious grounds.

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Manly will become the first NRL club in history to run out in LGBTQIA kit and it was expected the boycotting players would be in the stands.

But they now won’t attend due to the club’s fear that crowd violence or anti-social behaviour will be directed at them.

Manly officials excused the players from attending after speaking with players and the club’s security provider, according to The Daily Telegraph.

Police reportedly met with Manly officials and suggested the players should stay away from the ground.

The issue has divided the rugby league world with plenty slamming the decision to allow the players to stand down.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson took aim at the boycott on Wednesday and said the league must be a place for all.

“It is great what the owners of Manly have decided to do and it is unfortunate that it has panned out this way because everyone is equal, no matter what race, gender, sexual preference, everyone is equal,” Robinson said.

“Let people make their choice and let’s not discriminate against those, and we are still doing that, and that is why it is unfortunate.

“We have got Gotcha4Life, that both teams [are supporting] … sponsors have given up their space for Gotcha4Life.

“We are really looking forward to representing, and talking about even just male suicide and the high rate that it is.

“But in the youth gay community it is five times the level of what normal society is, that is because they don’t feel included.

“And for us in 2022 to not be inclusive and not say it is OK to be who you are is unacceptable

“We need to move towards a better place … I want to say that we are inclusive, we do accept you for who you are and we care about you, and we need to move forward in that way.”

Robinson isn’t happy. (Photo by Scott Gardiner/Getty Images)

Robinson was asked if his own team would wear a pride jersey, he revealed he had spoken with his own playing group in depth about the matter.

“Definitely … because we need to move forward, that is my personal view,” he said.

“I have talked to my players about it, we have talked about it openly.

“Because we have a job to do, we want to play a Roosters style of footy and dominate tomorrow night, but whether we like it or not we do have sponsors on jerseys, we do have things on jerseys that we represent.

“And you know that is a decision for clubs and the game to make, but my personal opinion I am about equality, and I want people to feel like they are cared for, and loved, and have a place no matter what their sexual preference.”

Originally published as Manly players boycotting pride jersey won’t attend Thursday night match