White Ribbon, an organisation that works to prevent gender-based violence against women, has confirmed it no longer works with the NRL.
It comes after invitations were sent to U.S. President Donald Trump and UFC boss Dana White for this weekend’s season opener in Las Vegas.
Both White and Trump have been accused of violence against women.
In response, White Ribbon said it has not worked with the NRL since 2020, and asked to be removed from its website.
Context
The NRL has a five-year deal to open its season in Las Vegas.
Last year, the inaugural games were attended by 40,000 people.
Ahead of the Vegas showcase, Australian Rugby League Commission chair Peter V’landys invited Trump to attend, saying: “We want to introduce you to the toughest game on Earth”.
It is the second time V’Landys has asked a sitting U.S. President to attend the showcase, having asked then-President Joe Biden to attend in 2024.
Last week, The Sydney Morning Herald reported the Canberra Raiders had invited UFC boss Dana White to blow the ‘Viking Horn’ at their game.
The horn, typically blown by a former Raiders player, initiates a fan chant at games.
Earlier this week, SMH reported White had declined the invitation.
Allegations
Both Trump and White have previously been accused of violence against women.
In 2023, Trump was found liable for the sexual abuse of American journalist and author E. Jean Carroll.
Your contribution ensures The Daily Aus can continue doing the work you love.
I want to give $10 monthly to help TDA keep doing the news.
Your details:
The same year, footage emerged of White in a physical altercation with his wife at a nightclub in Mexico.
White apologised at the time, saying: “There’s never, ever an excuse for a guy to put his hands on a woman”. He was not charged.
White Ribbon
Following White and Trump’s invitations, White Ribbon CEO Merinda March announced the organisation wanted to be removed from the NRL’s website.
White Ribbon began working with the NRL in the early 2000s.
March said that despite still being featured on the NRL’s site, the two organisations had not worked together since 2020.
“While the NRL continues to promote their association with us, this decision… lacks integrity and respect.”
March said the organisation “finds the NRL’s decision to associate with well-known perpetrators of abuse... disappointing and frankly, tone deaf.”
“We believe the fans and participants of the NRL – almost half of whom are female – deserve better.”
References to White Ribbon have since been removed from the NRL’s website.
March added White Ribbon would work with the NRL in future if they were “ready to commit to an authentic zero-tolerance stance”.
1800 RESPECT
Call: 1800 737 732
Text: 0458 737 732
Video: 1800RESPECT.org.au
