Manly Sea Eagles staff member who warned club against rainbow jersey has now been sacked

A Manly Sea Eagles staff member who advised the club against wearing a rainbow pride jersey has reportedly been fired.

Kristie Fulton, who is the daughter of Manly legend Bob Fulton, claims she was 'sacked and marched out of her work in tears', per the Daily Mail.

According to the Daily Telegraph, elite pathways manager Fulton was 'blindsided' and 'caught off guard' when Sea Eagles CEO Tony Mestrov ordered her into his office on Friday and terminated her contract on the spot.

Her redundancy came just a few short months after she voiced her concerns with the club's rainbow 'Everyone in League' strip.

It's understood Fulton told club officials that player pushback could prove to be an issue with the unveiling of the kit – which, as we now know, it ultimately was.

NRL/Supplied

Given her close relationship with the Polynesian players and having knowledge of their religious beliefs, she allegedly told officials that 'the club needs to be careful about making political and social statements and we should look at this'.

"When the story broke in late July that seven players were threatening to withdraw from the game against the Sydney Roosters, Fulton again urged the club to change the jersey," Buzz Rothfield writes in the Daily Telegraph.

"To heat-seal pink over the rainbow colours for Women in League Round.

"She said it would send a powerful message… that the club could own its mistake and, in future, work closer with players on future sensitive projects."

Supplied/NRL

Reports from the Sydney Morning Herald suggest there are also allegations of bullying that could be a factor in Fulton's redundacy too.

This sacking of a high-profile staffer comes at a time when the club is going through severe turbulence.

In the wake of the pride jersey saga, both the players and the club itself came under fire.

As a result, head coach De Hassler has now been relieved of his duties with former South Sydney Rabbitohs boss Anthony Seibold set to take the reins in 2023.

Topics: Australia, NRL, Rugby League

Max Sherry

Max Sherry is a journalist for SPORTbible Australia. After migrating Down Under from London as a teenager, he instantly fell in love with Aussie sport and its culture. From NRL to AFL, cricket to rugby — you name it, Max watches it (with a beer in hand, of course). During his time at Fox Sports, he worked in the football department covering the Premier League, A-League, Socceroos and Matildas. Born a stone's throw away from West Ham's training ground, Max is obviously a die-hard Liverpool fan.

@maxysherry