Controversy over some of the rainbow stripes on the shirt has become a national line (Image: Getty Images)

A group of Australian rugby league players have threatened to quit their jobs after they were asked to wear a rainbow in a single match.

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles announced the Pride Strip yesterday, saying it was showing support for “inclusiveness and diversity.”

However, the club boss had to hold a crisis meeting hours later, and some players refused to wear it citing “religious and cultural reasons”.

They complained that they were not consulted before the decision was made, and now the dispute has turned into a national dispute.

Manly Manager Dehasler said today:

“These young people are strong in their beliefs and beliefs, and we have given them the space and support they need.

“The playing group is solid and understands the opinions of others. As a club, we wear jerseys on Thursday nights.

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We have provided images of Manly Warringah Sea Eagles pride jersey player (L-R) Sean Cap, Kieran Foran and Reuben Garrick, taken on Monday, July 25, 2022. (AAP Image/Provided by Manly Warringah Sea Eagles) No File Only for editing purposes

Sean Cap, Keeran Foran and Ruben Garrick form a unique pride strip (Image: PR image)

The boycotted players are locally identified as Josh Aloyai, Jason Saab, Christian Tuipulotu, Josh Schuster, Haumole Olakauatu, Tolutau Kula, and Toafofoa Sipley.

Manly, who are currently ninth in the NRL table, will take on the Sydney Roosters, who have the same points and are above first.

This is one of six games remaining during the season, and the Sea Eagles have plenty of games left as the top eight teams advance to the league playoffs.

Hustler added: “Our intention was to be interested in all the different groups that face inclusion issues every day.

“Unfortunately, this mismanagement has caused a great deal of confusion, discomfort and distress for many people, especially groups that are really trying to support human rights.”

“I would like to apologize to the LGBTQ community for loving the colors of the rainbow and using these colors for pride, advocacy and human rights.”

Sydney, Australia, May 20: Sea Eagles Christian Typelots will work during the Parramatta Eels and Manly Sea Eagles Round 11 NRL match at CommBank Stadium on May 20, 2022 in Sydney, Australia.  (Photo by Mark Corbe/Getty Images)

Christian Typelots is understood to be one of the players in the boycott (Image: Getty Images)

Sydney, Australia-July 16: Jason Saab during the Manly Sea Eagles and Newcastle Nights Sea Eagles Round 18 match at 4 Pines Park on July 16, 2022 in Sydney, Australia.  (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)

Jason Serve is also unavailable on Thursday (Image: Getty Images)

The unique shirt design was made just for the Thursday night game and is hailed as “the first of its kind” by the club boss.

However, sports veteran Paul Garen criticized the club during League Week for “following” the striped women.

He added: “I think everyone realizes that there are different people in life and that they have different beliefs.

“Honestly, I don’t know why they wanted to promote it… I don’t think it’s right.”

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese supported the club boss, saying “it was good that the sport was more comprehensive” and that Australians “respect who they are”.

Australian Rugby League Commission Chairman Peter Brandis said he understands the selection of athletes based on religious and cultural differences, but called for participation and acceptance in the sport.

Sydney, Australia-July 22: Sea Eagles Coach after the NRL Round 19 game between the St. George Irawara Dragons and the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles at the Netstrata Jubilee Stadium on July 22, 2022 in Sydney, Australia Dehasler talks to the media.  (Photo by Jason McCauley/Getty Images)

Manager Des Hasler said the club boycotted the player’s decision (Image: Getty Images)

“One of the things I’m proud of in rugby league is treating everyone equally,” says Vlandis.

“It doesn’t matter what your color, sexual orientation or race is. We are all the same. We never step back to make sport inclusive. But at the same time, we are the players. I don’t minimize freedom.” . “

The club’s owner, Scott Penn, refused to return to the strip, saying: It was that we wanted to participate in all the games and make them feel like they could participate.

We are not going to force them to play, but we commit ourselves with the shirt and promise to get involved. We are not trying to leave our position. “

Former male striker Ian Roberts, the first famous gay rugby league player who played in the 1990s, said he was not surprised by the player’s decision.

“It’s not a total shock to me, like it is to everyone else,” he told The Sydney Morning Herald.

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Chairman of the Sea Eagles Scott Penn at a press conference in Narrabeen, Sydney, Wednesday, July 29, 2015. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas) File

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles president Scott Penn of the Sea Eagles refused to go back to the rainbow jersey top (Image: AAPImage)

“As an older gay man, I’m used to it. I thought there would be some religious hiccups.

The shirt boycott has dominated NRL coverage with criticism of both the boycott and the lack of consultation with the club’s players since the Sydney Daily Telegraph broke the story on Monday night.

The newspaper said the players were unaware that they were not showing their jerseys to the media.

NRL rules require all players on the team to wear the same stripe, so seven players cannot wear an alternate jersey without a rainbow message.

Pride jerseys are popular with fans, with local media reporting that the club has sold out of its first stock in men’s and women’s sizes.

Other athletes have previously refused to wear T-shirts with advertisements or messages that contradict their beliefs.

In 2016, cricketer Faward Ahmed was allowed to play in a jersey without the Australian team’s beer sponsor logo because he opposed alcohol on religious grounds.

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