Fans Respond To NRL Players Boycotting Pride Jersey By Buying All Of Them Online

Fans have responded to the NRL players boycotting their club's pride jersey by buying every single one of them.

According to The Guardian, the Manly Sea Eagles' rainbow top sold out within 24 hours of them dropping online, proving there is a huge market for inclusivity in the club.

People were absolutely raving about the result.

One user said: "The pride jersey that @SeaEagles have released has already sold out . If that doesn’t show the amount of support that they have then I don’t know what will. Full credit to manly for doing this and respect to all the fans who purchased them ."

Another added: "Here I am, filthy I missed out on buying some Sea Eagles merch that sold out. A timeline I never expected, but massive ups to the club for promoting inclusivity in the game. Hopefully more jump on board."

It comes after up to seven players from the club announced they were going to rule themselves out of Thursday's clash with the Roosters because they didn't want to wear the jersey.

The Sea Eagles recently unveiled the new look uniform and it appears the players were frustrated that they weren't consulted with.

Club coach Des Hasler has 'accepted' the players' decision and is supporting them not playing in the crucial match, according to The Age.

The news outlet claims Josh Aloiai, Jason Saab, Christian Tuipulotu, Josh Schuster, Haumole Olakau’atu, Tolu Koula and Toafofoa Sipley are the players who won't be running onto the field for the game.

The decision to boycott the pride jersey is said to be based on cultural and religious grounds.

Thursday's match against the Roosters is crucial for Manly as the club is sitting just off the top eight and a win against the boys in red, white and blue would help their chances of playing in the finals.

However, those hopes have been severely diminished now that a large chunk of the team has bailed.

Sea Eagles legend Ian Roberts, who was the first rugby league player to come out as gay, was devastated.

"It's sad and uncomfortable. As an older gay man, this isn't unfamiliar. I did wonder whether there would be any religious pushback. That's why I think the NRL have never had a Pride round," Roberts said to The Daily Telegraph.

"I can promise you every young kid on the northern beaches who is dealing with their sexuality would have heard about this."