AFLW's first Muslim player will sit out of Pride Round match after REFUSING to wear her team's LGBTQ jumper for 'religious reasons'

   

Western Sydney Giants star Haneen Zreika will sit out this week's fixtures after refusing to wear the kit that celebrates LGBTQI rights because of her own ideology.
 
The 22-year-old reportedly informed her teammates of the decision, with the Giants squad accepting and supporting her stance.

It has been estimated that between 75 and 80 per cent of the AFLW competition identify as being LGBTQI.

         

Zreika splayed in the annual Pride round last year, which celebrates the diversity of the game's supporter base, but the team were not wearing themed jerseys during the 2021 season.

She even appeared in a promotional photoshoot for the round in previous seasons, but will not feature in the 2022 edition.

The club are committed to going forward with the jersey and the game, which will be held at Henson Park in Marrickville in Sydney's inner-west on Saturday.

Teammates are hoping she will be in attendance at the match and will still be able to participate in some of the responsibilities, even if she refuses to wear the Pride jersey.

The Giants so far have refused to comment directly on the issue, saying only in the team announcement that she 'won't play for personal reasons'.

Zreika does significant work within the western Sydney community, a trait that has helped her backing within the club with officials and teammates.

The 22-year-old won the goal of the year award last season and represented the Giants in the grand final sprint.

The president of the Islamic Council of Victoria told The Age it was important she sat out the round if she felt it compromised her religious values.



'It's complex... given the AFL is an inclusive environment and there is respect for all different and divergent view I am hoping, and I am sure she would be hoping as well, that her club and the AFL community would respect her choices on that matter,' Adel Salman said.

-Daily Mail