A NSW Rugby League junior player will be unable to continue playing competitively unless he covers up a pair of offensive and homophobic tattoos.
Photos from a since-deleted NSW Rugby League social media post emerged over the weekend featuring the player's legs and two offensive statements on them. One leg's tattoo reads “eat shit f—-t” and the other “snort lines and f—”.
The player has since received an official warning from his club, the Cronulla Junior Rugby League.
"Cronulla JRL has issued the player an official warning and asked him to cover the offending tattoos if he wishes to continue to play in any sanctioned NSWRL competition," the NSW Rugby League said in a statement to media.
It said the organisation has zero tolerance for any form of bullying, harassment or vilification towards people with diverse sexualities and genders.
"The NSWRL and Cronulla JRL are committed to providing a safe, fun and inclusive environment for all people, including those of diverse sexualities and genders," it said. "Being an inclusive sport not only reflects our core values, it also reflects the diversity of our local communities."
The news was first broken by The Daily Telegraph's Phil "Buzzard" Rothfield, who said the tattoos had gone unnoticed by Cronulla juniors officials.
“They are so offensive," Rothfield said during an appearance on The Big Sports Weekend.
"It is so homophobic. They didn’t realise. They [the club] didn’t check the leg tattoos of every player they pick in rep sides but when a photo was put up on social media of the player, they recognised it and sent it to the New South Wales Rugby League and good on [NSWRL CEO] Dave Trodden.
“He jumped on it straight away. He said we have zero tolerance for any form of bullying, harassment or vilification towards people with diverse sexualities and genders.
"They've said to this bloke, 'cover them up with tape or you will not play in a New South Wales Rugby League sanctioned competition ever again'. I applaud them for coming down so hard on his rubbish."
One Australian media outlet named the player on Monday evening. Gay Sydney News has chosen not to at this time for legal reasons.
Gay Sydney News has approached the club and the player for comment.
Eliot Hastie is a senior news producer at Channel Ten, reporting on a range of general stories, specialising in foreign affairs and LGBTQ+ stories. He’s also a reporter for Gay Sydney News, where he covers LGBTQIA+ culture, politics and nightlife. He previously helped to build and launch ausbiz, Australia's only live streaming finance news channel, where he was also an executive producer and host. He has previously worked as a finance and business journalist for publications including Fintech Business, Real Estate Business and other Momentum Media titles. Eliot holds a journalism degree from the University of Westminster and brings experience in both broadcast and digital reporting. Contact Eliot: [email protected]
