Abbie Chatfield has blasted NRL players who stood down after refusing to wear LGBT+ pride jerseys.
Seven Manly Sea Eagles players stood down after the club announced the jersey, which features small rainbow stripes, would be worn as a one-off during this week’s game against the Roosters.
Josh Aloiai, Jason Saab, Christian Tuipulotu, Josh Schuster, Haumole Olakau’atu, Tolutau Koula and Toafofoa Sipley are against wearing the jersey, which promotes inclusivity of LGBT+ people in the NRL, due to religious beliefs.
Abbie Chatfield called out the seven players’ hypocrisy.
(Image: Instagram)Abbie, who’s long been a vocal ally of the LGBT community, blasted the players on her Hot Nights With Abbie Chatfield podcast.
“Sorry that you are homophobic, you’re so homophobic,” she said on Monday night.
“I mean, I can’t say this on radio, but just stand them down.”
The 27-year-old also called out the hypocrisy that the NRL stars have no issue playing at stadiums covered in alcohol and gambling sponsors which would also be deemed “as a sin”.
Josh Schuster and Haumole Olakau’atu are two of the players who have refused to wear the pride jersey.
(Image: Getty)“Basically if you’re a Sea Eagles player who isn’t going to play because of a little rainbow on your shirt, you’re embarrassing and you’re weak so see ya,” the former Bachelor star said.
“Don’t be homophobic in this day and age. Get a grip.”
Kyle Sandilands and Jackie ‘O’ Henderson shared a similar sentiment on Tuesday morning, calling out the players for having a double standard.
The radio duo questioned why some players refused to support the LGBT+ community when the Sea Eagles’ major sponsor is gambling company Pointsbet and their home stadium is named after an alcoholic brewing company.
“The whole excuse of religion doesn’t make sense. If they’re all playing in a stadium sponsored by alcohol and all the jerseys are sponsored by a gambling company, it makes no sense,” Kyle said.
“I don’t like people being forced to do anything they don’t like to do but when you’re playing for a team, you’ve got no decision as to who sponsors the team.”
Jackie O added: “But they’re okay to talk about gambling and encourage that.”
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