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Manly forward Josh Aloiai says he will not wear a Sea Eagles pride jersey in 2023 if the club seeks to revisit the introduction of a pro-LGBTQI+ playing shirt next season.
- Josh Aloiai says the "atheist boys" in the team "weren't comfortable" wearing a Christian jersey for "Easter round"
- It is unconfirmed if Manly will wear a pride jersey next season, but it has been suggested
- Aloiai and the other Sea Eagles who chose not to play in the pride jersey are speaking out after being initially shielded from the media
Aloiai was one of seven players who, citing religious beliefs, refused to play in Manly's round 20 game with the Sydney Roosters after the club unveiled an "Everyone In League" jersey.
Club owner Scott Penn said the club would look into introducing a rainbow jersey next season, despite the club admitting the introduction of the jersey this year was poorly handled.
Aloiai, who said his gay sister supported his stance, said his teammates were left in an unenviable position because their religious views directly conflicted with their job.
Aloiai said he and some other teammates wanted to wear a religious kit for "Easter round", presumably round six when the Tigers and Eels play on Easter Monday.
"You should never be put in [that] situation," he told the Nine Network.
"Our atheist boys, for Easter round, we wanted to wear a Christian jersey and they weren't comfortable in doing that.
"It's all the same — I will support them."
The Manly Sea Eagles declined to comment.
The seven Manly players who refused to wear the pride jersey were sheltered from the media, but now many are on international duty and have begun to speak out.
Aloiai followed teammates Tolatau Koula and Haumole Olakau'atu in explaining his reasoning for this stance.
He said he and his Manly teammates had received death threats but would not waiver in their beliefs.
"The short answer is no, I won't [play in a pride jersey]," he said.
"We didn't compromise this year and we won't compromise next year or the year after.
"A difference of opinion is not a difference of respect."
AAP