No rainbow flag ban for NRL grand final, ANZ Stadium confirms


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Rainbow flags will not be banned from the NRL Grand Final, the management of ANZ stadium confirmed on Sunday, correcting erroneous reports that security officers would confiscate the items from fans during compulsory bag checks. 


As tens of thousands of fans prepare to attend Sydney’s ANZ Stadium to watch the showdown between Melbourne Storm and North Queensland Cowboys on Sunday night, the venue was forced to issue a clarification on its flag policy, noting that fans were “allowed to express their views.”


“There has been no ban on rainbow flags for today’s NRL Grand Final that meet the standard conditions of entry for all major events,” the statement said.


“Fans are encouraged to bring colour and energy to the event and are allowed to express their views.”


The statement clarified the existing conditions of entry, which limits the display of large flags and banners to supporter zones, providing they have been pre-approved by the clubs and the stadium.


“No other large flags or banners that could prevent people from watching the game will be permitted into the seating bowl,” it said.


The statement followed a News Corp report, which was picked up by other media outlets, that the stadium had banned rainbow flags from the event. 


The flag confusion is the latest episode in the highly-charged political backdrop to Sunday night’s game, which comes amid a nationwide survey to canvass the public’s opinion of legalising same-sex marriage. 


The grand final became a battleground in the national marriage equality debate this week, after advocates from the No campaign criticised the NRL for its decision to hire US rapper, Macklemore, as the headline entertainment act. 


Former prime minister Tony Abbott backed calls to stop Macklemore from performing his chart-topping hit, “Same Love”, which has become an anthem to marriage equality, tweeting “Footy fans shouldn’t be subjected to a politicised grand final. Sport is sport!”


As politicians and activists from across the divide weighed into the debate, Same Love surged to the top of the Australian iTunes chart.  As the rapper landed in Sydney on Saturday, he pledged to donate some of the proceeds from the song to the Yes vote campaign.


The ANZ stadium also advised that patrons wearing or otherwise displaying inappropriate or offensive images or logos may be denied entry into the  or asked to remove such items prior to entering the venue.




Article source: http://watoday.com.au/queensland/alleged-whistleblower-cop-rick-flori-to-run-for-election-20170924-p4yw2j.html

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