Manly coach Des Hasler quotes Gandhi and his autistic mate in grovelling apology for pride jersey

Manly coach Des Hasler has apologised to his own players, the LGBTQI community and all 15 other NRL clubs for the pride jersey controversy as he confirmed seven players will boycott their must-win match against the Roosters on Thursday night.

In a rambling and at times bizarre statement on Tuesday, the Sea Eagles boss also refused to comment on who made the call to launch the rainbow strip without consulting any of the players.

Calling the fiasco that has seen stars Josh Aloiai, Jason Saab, Christian Tuipulotu, Josh Schuster, Haumole Olakau’atu, Tolutau Koula and Toafofoa Sipley refuse to play  ‘a significant mistake’, Hasler admitted the club was guilty of ‘poor management’ that caused ‘confusion, discomfort and pain’.

‘We wish to apologise to the LGBTQ community who embrace the rainbow colours and use these colours for pride and advocacy and human rights issues,’ he said.

An emotional Hasler refused to say who was responsible for the decision to go ahead with the pride jumper without consulting the players as he offered a grovelling apology to the LGBTQI community, his own footballers and other NRL clubs

‘Our intent was to be caring and compassionate towards all diverse groups who face inclusion issues daily. However, instead of enhancing tolerance, and acceptance, we may have hindered this.’

The coach even used famous freedom fighter Gandhi’s quote, ‘Be the change you want to see in the world,’ before telling a rambling story about a close friend of his who is autistic.

‘He is a passionate advocate for the rights of of the neuro diverse and embraces the rainbow colours as a symbol of neuro diversity,’ Hasler said. 

Hasler backed the seven players who will boycott Thursday night's match because the jersey goes against their religious and cultural beliefs - before going into a rambling anecdote about a close friend of his who has autism

Hasler backed the seven players who will boycott Thursday night’s match because the jersey goes against their religious and cultural beliefs – before going into a rambling anecdote about a close friend of his who has autism

‘He was very angry about how the club handled such an important opportunity to raise awareness and support advocacy.’

Hasler explained his mate reflected on how intolerant people have been towards him because he had communicated poorly – even though he had the best of intentions.

It was a clear plea for understanding as he alluded to his opinion that the club also had lofty aims with the jersey launch, but had failed because the initiative was handled badly. 

‘He said, ‘How can I be intolerant towards the club when I want people to be tolerant towards my mistakes and those of neuro diverse people? I want people to accept me for my big heart, not for my communication mistakes.”’

Club CEO Gary Wolman and owner/chairman Scott Penn – who is currently in New York – were conspicuously absent from one of the most startling press conferences in the club’s history. 

Hasler, 61, was upfront about the crucial mistake that was made before the jersey switch was announced on Monday.

Skipper Daly Cherry-Evans (left) said none of the seven boycotting players had raised concerns with him over being labelled bigots - and insisted he'd never heard homophobic remarks from any of his teammates

Skipper Daly Cherry-Evans (left) said none of the seven boycotting players had raised concerns with him over being labelled bigots – and insisted he’d never heard homophobic remarks from any of his teammates

‘Sadly, the execution of what was intended to be an extremely important initiative was poor. There was little consultation or collaboration between key stakeholders, both inside and outside the club,’ he explained.

Club legend Ian Roberts – who became the first rugby league player to come out as gay – earlier said his heart was broken by the seven boycotting players, and Hasler gave him a special mention.

‘I personally played with Ian Roberts and wholeheartedly shared his admiration with the game – and also to society, in raising awareness and acceptance of diversity and inclusion.

‘He was a great man and a great citizen of our country. The role he has played at our club, and the community, cannot be understated.

‘We must continue to seek out his guidance and opinions.’ 

Hasler made special mention of his former teammate and club legend Ian Roberts, who was the first rugby league player to come out as gay and said he'd been left heartbroken by the seven players who are boycotting the Sea Eagles' next game

Hasler made special mention of his former teammate and club legend Ian Roberts, who was the first rugby league player to come out as gay and said he’d been left heartbroken by the seven players who are boycotting the Sea Eagles’ next game

The often emotional 61-year-old insisted he didn't ask any of the boycotting players to reconsider their decision during an emergency meeting on Monday night

The often emotional 61-year-old insisted he didn’t ask any of the boycotting players to reconsider their decision during an emergency meeting on Monday night 

Hasler said he did not ask any of the players who have stood themselves down to reconsider their decision.

‘No one is forced to do anything in this game. The decision is clear, some people feel strongly about certain things and that is fine.

‘It is a good initiative and it puts 17 people out there who will do many people proud and make those feeling vulnerable a bit more welcome in society.’ 

Asked whether the club was going against its aim of being inclusive by splitting the club and going ahead with wearing the jersey, the coach said while the team respected the boycotting players’ convictions, there would be no backing down from running out in the new strip.

Captain Daly Cherry-Evans said the seven teammates hadn’t raised any concerns with him when he was asked if he’d checked on their mental state amid worries they are being labelled bigots.

Asked whether he’d ever heard bigoted opinions about LGBTQI people from any of his fellow stars, he replied: ‘Stuff like this isn’t a topic of conversation, so were experiencing a lot of things for the first time as a playing group.’

He added that the players who get picked to face the Roosters – who are level on points with Manly as both sides chase a place in the final eight – will ‘try to do something special’ on Thursday night. 

source: dailymail.co.uk