MOSCOW, Jul 26 Seven rugby players from the Australian Manly Sea Eagles team refused to go to the match in the form with LGBT symbols. Athletes refused to go to the game of the National Rugby League of Australia (NRL), citing religious and cultural beliefs. The team's new uniforms have been replaced with rainbow lines instead of white stripes in support of the LGBT community.
"They won't play on Thursday and we accept their decision. These young people are strong in their convictions, and we will provide them with the support they need", the NRL website quotes the head coach of the team Des Hasler.
The specialist noted that the club will not change the design of the form. The head of the NRL, Peter V'Landis, said he respects the decision of the players who do not want to wear LGBT uniforms. «They have religious and cultural differences and that's the beauty of Australia. We all have these freedoms,» V'Landis said.