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“It’s simply disappointing we’re right here. We don’t need these gamers to be outcasts, however as a membership we have a good time and help everybody. We’ve got solely accomplished this from a good-hearted perspective.”
ARLC chairman Peter V’landys backed Penn’s inclusive stance however admitted errors have been made within the dealing with of the scenario.
Sean Keppie, Kieran Foran and Reuben Garrick mannequin the rainbow jersey.Credit score:Manly Media
“It ought to have been accomplished collaboratively,” he informed 2GB. “I’m the primary person who doesn’t need sport to be politicised as a result of we go to sport to flee the day-to-day issues. So we don’t need to have politics concerned. However this isn’t politics, recognising and respecting fellow human beings and being inclusive, I don’t consider is political.
“We respect everybody. It doesn’t matter what your sexual orientation is, what your perception in marriage is, what your race is, what your color is, we respect you as a human being. The sport’s coverage has been that for a few years, and it received’t change.”
“We don’t stay in Russia,” V’landys later added at a launch for the NRL’s Girls In League spherical.
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Coach Des Hasler has informed the gamers he respects their choice, and can be part of Manly captain Daly Cherry-Evans addressing the media on Tuesday.
The NRL informed the membership it wouldn’t permit gamers to put on completely different variations of the Sea Eagles jersey, that means the seven objectors wanted to drag on the inclusivity jersey or miss the essential recreation.
“We personal it,” Penn mentioned. “This was to have a good time everybody, that was the entire level of it. We don’t need to put our gamers in a troublesome place, however we’re dedicated to the staff taking part in in it – and we’re standing sturdy by that. We’re an inclusive membership and proceed to be.”
Manly legend Ian Roberts, who got here out as homosexual throughout his taking part in days within the Nineties, mentioned the choice by a gaggle of the membership’s gamers “didn’t completely shock him”.
Betting has been suspended on the essential conflict, with bookmakers together with the TAB, Sportsbet and Manly sponsors PointsBet all itemizing Friday’s Warriors-Storm conflict because the opening match of the spherical on Tuesday morning.
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