Catalan Dragons coach Steve McNamara has defended Israel Folau's decision not to take a knee to support the 'Black Lives Matter' movement before their Super League match against St Helens.
On Monday (NZ time), the Super League competition - minus Toronto Wolfpack - resumed behind closed doors at Leeds' Headingley Stadium, after the competition was suspended in March, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Officials and players from both teams, including Super League chief executive Robert Elstone, all took a knee before the match, as part of the 'Black Lives Matter' protest, except for Folau who remained standing.
McNamara describes his actions as "a personal choice" and states the Catalan's team doesn't condone racism.
"As a group of players and coaching staff, we spoke about it in-depth and as a club, we are completely against racism and all for equal opportunity," he says.
"But there were some players and staff who made the decision not to take the knee. That was based on personal choice, they have their own reasons for doing that and we decided we would respect anyone's personal choice on the matter."
Folau's decision not to kneel met with mixed reviews online, but former Super League great Leon Pryce leapt to his defence saying: "Nobody should feel like they are forced to do anything they are not comfortable with."
Folau hasn't said why he chose not to take a knee, but there are some suggestions that those of Christian faith only take a knee during prayer.
Folau, 31, made his return to rugby league in January, when his Rugby Australia contract was controversially torn up, after he posted homophobic comments on social media.
The Dragons decision to sign him was criticised and Elstone later admitted regret for approving the deal.
Folau, who has re-signed with the Dragons until the end of the 2021 season, had little impact on the game, as his side lost 34-6 to the defending champions, who were boosted by the return of James Graham from his stint in the NRL.
In most sports, athletes and coaches have knelt, but some have opted to stand, including Orlando Magic NBA forward Jonathan Isaac.
"I don't think that kneeling or putting on a T-shirt, for me, is the answer," says Isaac.
San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich and assistant coach Becky Hammon have also opted to stand during the US national anthem.
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