ARL boss Peter V’landys has rejected the assertion that arguments over the Manly Sea Eagles‘ pride jersey were ‘political’ in nature, saying ‘the game will always be there for everyone’.
Speaking on Radio 2GB, V’landys said his perception of the situation was ‘disappointment, but also respect.’
“The game prides itself in treating everyone as a human being, no matter what their race is, their colour, their sexual orientation – we’re all human beings at the end of the day.
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“Rugby league is the greatest game for all. It’s inclusive. But at the same time you have to respect people’s religious beliefs and cultural beliefs.
“Those players are taking a stand and they’ve got every right to – they’ve got freedoms to do so, we live in a free country.
“But as far as the game is concerned, we pride ourselves on being inclusive.”
Nine’s Danny Weidler told Today that the core issue behind the controversy was that the playing group was not consulted.
The ARLC boss said he was ‘heartened’ by the fact that some of the Manly seven had reportedly changed their minds, and said that the idea that the players were themselves being excluded was off-base.
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“If you don’t want to be inclusive and you don’t recognise that we’re all human beings and we’re all the same, then you’ve got the right to stand down and not play,” V’landys said.
“But the game will always be there for everyone.”
He also rejected the suggestion by some that this was a ‘political’ issue.
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“I don’t think this is a political issue. I’m the first person who doesn’t want to sport to be politicised, because we go to sport to escape the day-to-day problems.
“But this isn’t politics. Recognising and respecting fellow human beings, and being inclusive, I do not believe is political.
“But at the same time, I also acknowledge and respect that people have personal freedoms and they’ve got the choice.”
Meanwhile, Manly boss Scott Penn told The Sydney Morning Herald that the club would remain firm on plans to wear the jersey.
“We’re not going to force them to play, but we’re committed to the jersey and we’re committed to inclusion. We’re not walking away from our position. And we respect their beliefs.
“It’s just disappointing we’re here. We don’t want those players to be outcasts, but as a club we celebrate and support everyone. We have only done this from a good-hearted point of view.”
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