Controversial NRL statement surrounding Australia Day leaves countless footy fans up in arms – ‘sporting organisations should stop dividing our nation and stay out of politics’

A statement from the NRL that Australia Day is a “painful and sad day” for Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islanders has angered many football fans.

It was posted on the NRL’s social media channels at 8 a.m. on Friday — and it didn’t take long for supporters to take to the divisive topic online.

Many felt that sport and politics do not mix, with numerous messages saying ‘Happy Australia Day’ in response.

“Read the room NRL, no one wants this (divisive) nonsense,” one person wrote.

A second wrote: ‘Sports organizations need to stop dividing our nation and stay out of politics.’

Another said: ‘Why don’t we actually celebrate the great country we all live in?

Many supporters felt that sport and politics do not mix, with numerous messages saying ‘Happy Australia Day’ in response (pictured two women decked out in green and gold, holding Australian flags)

Rabbitohs star fullback Latrell Mitchell (right) posted on his Instagram story: ‘Thinking of my people today! There’s a reason the windshield is bigger than the rearview mirror. Keep looking ahead’

The South Sydney Rabbitohs – an NRL club with a proud First Nations history – discussed the matter on X.

“At the Rabbitohs we understand that today is a day when Australians pause to reflect on and celebrate the unique qualities of our nation. However, for many it is also a painful and difficult day,” the statement said.

“Today the Rabbitohs join us in recognizing the many and varied cultures that make up our modern Australian nation.

“At the same time, we pay special tribute to our Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander brothers and sisters and honor them as custodians of the oldest living culture on earth.

“It was always Aboriginal land and it always will be.”

Rabbitohs star fullback Latrell Mitchell posted on his Instagram story: ‘Thinking of my people today! There’s a reason the windshield is bigger than the rearview mirror. Keep looking ahead.’

It comes after Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins this week called for the date of Australia Day to be changed.

Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins has called for the date of Australia Day to be changed from January 26

Steve Smith (left) backs Pat Cummins’ stance on the Australia Day date after speaking to Indigenous teammate Scott Boland

The skipper said January 26 was the wrong time to celebrate Australia Day and urged the government to change it to a “more appropriate date”.

‘I absolutely love Australia. It is by far the best country in the world,” Cummins said.

“We should have an Australia Day, but we can probably find a more suitable day to celebrate it. “Once you start to realize why January 26 was chosen, Australia Day is meant to be a celebration of everything about Australia and our history.

‘This way we could choose a better date.’

Former captain Steve Smith is on the same page as Cummins as the star batsman tells reporters he consulted native teammate Scott Boland before forming his opinion.

Cricket Australia boss Nick Hockley also clashed with 2GB breakfast host Ben Fordham in a trainwreck interview on Tuesday when he confirmed the term ‘Australia Day’ will not be uttered in Brisbane on day two of the Test against the West Indies.

Elsewhere, Football Australia, AFL club North Melbourne and the Hockey rose they all believed that January 26 should not be seen as a holiday.

“We recognize that today has different meanings for our diverse nation,” Football Australia posted, alongside team photos of the Socceroos and Matildas.

“We will always respect, represent and celebrate all the cultures, communities and people that make our country and our sport great.”