Embattled NRL club Manly’s decision to not give players a choice to wear a rainbow-themed jersey this week in support of inclusivity because it would cast some as homophobic has backfired spectacularly.

6PR commentator Jane Marwick said the original plan for Sea Eagles players to have a choice was abandoned and instead only some were consulted, with seven players boycotting the club’s crucial clash with the Roosters on Thursday due to personal and cultural reasons.

“I think in trying to be inclusive, Manly has just blown up the whole thing, and there’ll be people on both sides of this debate who’ll feel sad, lonely, hurt,” she said.

Mornings host Liam Bartlett let loose at the growing trend for sports to meddle in politics and promote virtuous issues in society.

“All of a sudden you’ve got to be virtuous, but on the other side, I think some of these symbolic gestures [in sport] are so superficial it just makes me sick,” he said.

Manly coach Des Hasler on Tuesday apologised to the NRL and other clubs for creating negative news.

LISTEN to their debate 👇