NRL takes action after Manly pride jersey boycotters back fallen star who stabbed a man in the back

The NRL has responded after a number of Manly Sea Eagles players who refused to wear the club’s pride jersey last month due to religious and cultural beliefs then publicly backed a former teammate who stabbed a church leader.

Three Manly stars – Haumole Olakau’atu, Josh Schuster and Josh Aloiai – showcased their support for Manase Fainu, who was recently convicted in a Sydney court of knifing a man in the back in 2019.

Olakau’atu flashed the ‘2161’ postcode for Guildford – a nod to where the pair grew up playing in Sydney’s west – on the field during last Sunday’s game against the Titans, while Schuster had the initials MF written on his wrist.

Fainu has been found guilty over a stabbing at a Mormon church in Sydney’s west in 2019

Aloiai was in court to support the former dummy-half during the trial and Warriors captain Addin Fonua-Blake – who played alongside Fainu at Manly – also appeared to pay tribute to the fallen star as he celebrated a late try during last Friday’s win versus the Bulldogs.

The move angered many footy fans, who were stunned to see the footballers back Fainu – but not wear an inclusive jersey against the Roosters on July 28 at 4 Pines Park.

Olakau’atu, Schuster and Aloiai were joined by Jason Saab, Tolutau Koula, Christian Tuipulotu and Toafofoa Sipley as the ‘Manly 7’ were refused to play in the groundbreaking jersey.

The ugly saga effectively ended the semi-final prospects of the Sea Eagles, who have since been beaten by the Eels and Titans and sit in 10th spot on the NRL ladder.

According to the Daily Telegraph, NRL integrity boss Jason King contacted Sea Eagles chief executive Tony Mestrov and Warriors boss Cameron George on Wednesday.

He urged both men to tell their contracted players the importance of respecting the game’s image.

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo was said to be ‘not necessarily pleased’ at the actions of the players and confirmed the integrity unit team is looking into the matter.

Fox League’s Paul Kent accused the Sea Eagles players of hypocrisy.

‘What he( Olakau’atu) has done here is a six, one, which I believe is part of the Guildford postcode, which is relation to where Manase Fainu is from. Then he has put the wrists together like he is in handcuffs, which is all in support of Manase Fainu,’ Kent said.

Manly prop Josh Aloiai has come under fire after backing Manase Fainu in court – but last month boycotted a NRL match for the Sea Eagles after they wore a pride jersey

Josh Schuster (pictured) was one of the ‘Manly 7’ who stood down – and last weekend backed Manase Fainu by having the letter ‘MF’ visible on his wrist

‘Is it a protest or is it support? Because only a couple of weeks ago we were here on this show and particularly me defending the values of Olakau’atu and a few other players at that club for their stance with the pride jersey.

‘I said whether you like it or not they follow a Christian faith and they are defending that faith.

‘Here they are a fortnight later in support of a guy who is about to go to jail for stabbing a guy in a fight that was born out of a gang fight based on these postcodes.

‘You can’t have it both ways with these guys. ‘These guys just surrender every right to compassion and sympathy from a fortnight ago from what they have just done on the weekend. 

‘It is just so stupid.’