The frustrating flaw in Manly’s apology amid players’ pride jersey revolt
Manly coach Des Hasler issued a lengthy apology today amid the revolt from within his team. But in one regard, he failed to speak plainly.
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The Manly Warringah Sea Eagles issued a lengthy apology today expressing contrition for their handling of a one-off pride jersey that has caused a revolt among the club’s players.
Seven players, and reportedly a handful of the potential debutants who could have replaced them, have stood down from Thursday night’s match against the Sydney Roosters because wearing the jersey, adorned with rainbow stripes, would contradict their religious beliefs.
The jersey, which will still be worn by the Manly team that takes the field on Thursday, was designed to support “inclusivity for everyone” in rugby league.
Speaking on behalf of the club today, head coach Des Hasler said it had made “a significant mistake” in its “execution” of the idea.
“The jersey’s intent was to support the advocacy and human rights pertaining to gender, race, culture, ability and LGBTQ movements,” Hasler said.
“Sadly, the execution of what was intended to be an extremely important initiative was poor. There was little consultation or collaboration between key stakeholders, both inside and outside the club.
“This poor mismanagement has caused significant confusion, discomfort and pain for many people. We wish to apologise to the LGBTQ community who embrace the rainbow colour for pride and advocacy and human rights issues. We accept your cultural beliefs and hope that you can accept our apology.
“We wish to apologise to our own playing group and staff for any confusion, discomfort and pain that the mistake we have made may have caused them.
“There are always going to be subsets of society who have cultural and religious views, and they must always be considered.
“None of the coaching staff nor the players had prior knowledge of the jersey. They are not wearing the jersey as it conflicts with their cultural and religious beliefs, and I am concerned for their welfare. Their spirituality is a central part of their wellbeing.
“The players will not play on Thursday, and we accept their decision. These young men are strong in their beliefs and convictions, and we will give them the space and support they require.
“Whilst we have come a long away as a society, there is still no doubt much work to be done, particularly in education.
“For any person struggling with identity, we acknowledge the challenges and difficulties. My heart goes out to you and your families, and if the club can personally do anything to assist, we will. We are here, we offer our complete support.
“I apologise to anyone to whom this matter has caused distress.”
OK. First of all, Manly is absolutely right to apologise for the lack of consultation with its players, who should have been involved throughout the entire process. This is not the sort of thing that should be sprung on the playing group out of nowhere.
I wouldn’t mind knowing who these “key stakeholders” outside the club are, and precisely what influence they have exerted behind the scenes in the last 24 hours.
Second, I don’t think Hasler’s apology to the LGBTQ community is necessary. Manly was trying to do a good thing here. The fact that it has backfired in some quarters is regrettable, but that does not negate the original intent.
The rest of the statement is understandable from a practical perspective, and disappointing from a moral one, because it represents a capitulation to the very bigotry Manly was trying to address by designing the jersey in the first place.
The practical consideration here is simple: the club needs to keep these players onside. They are an important part of the playing group, and if they feel alienated it will damage the team. The chief goal of any footy club is to win games, after all, and an unsympathetic approach to the boycotters would only harm that goal.
Yesterday, before the apology, I wrote that the players should be allowed to return to the side next week without sanction, and that remains true.
But.
In its effort to mollify the seven players and avoid further confrontation, Manly’s apology cloaks their stance in the euphemistic language typical of any public debate on gay rights.
“There are always going to be subsets of society who have cultural and religious views,” Hasler said, without describing said views in any detail.
Shall we speak more plainly? Here is what that sentence actually says, when the diplomat-speak is stripped away: “There are always going to be subsets of society who believe LGBTQ people should not be accepted for who they are.”
“They are not wearing the jersey as it conflicts with their cultural and religious beliefs,” said the Manly coach.
Translation: “They are not wearing the jersey as it conflicts with their belief that LGBTQ people are sinful and should not be accepted for who they are.”
Hasler: “Their spirituality is a central part of their wellbeing.”
Translation, though perhaps a rougher one this time: “Being forced to say they accept LGBTQ people in rugby league would attack a central part of their wellbeing.”
We are told these young men are “strong in their beliefs and convictions”. In that case, they should be comfortable defending those convictions, and the rest of us should feel equally comfortable discussing them frankly, without hiding behind meaningless language.
If your “cultural and religious beliefs” tell you gay people should not be welcomed, included and accepted, then those beliefs are wrong, immoral and out of step with modern society.
This is not an anti-religious view. A great many churches and religious leaders now accept it, and preach kindness and tolerance towards the LGBTQ community. Belief in a god does not require one to shun people on the basis of their sexuality or gender identity.
And freedom of religion does not require us, as a liberal and egalitarian society, to remain meek in the face of bigotry or coddle those who sustain it.
I respect these players’ faith. I respect any preaching that would inspire them to do good in the world; to show compassion and love for their fellow human beings.
I do not respect any belief that people are inferior because of who they are, and should be made to feel unwelcome because of something they were born with and cannot change.
There are practical reasons why Manly failed to speak so plainly today, disappointing as it was. The rest of us have no excuse.
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