CLANCY OVERELL | Editor | CONTACT
The NRL has officially joined the Free The Flag debate today, by making it clear that, in their eyes, there is absolutely no debate.
This comes as the AFL receives cease and desists over the usage of the black, red and yellow colours in this weekend’s Indigenous round.
The exclusive rights to the Aboriginal flag are held by non-Indigenous company WAM Clothing .The copyright licence held by WAM means anyone wishing to use the flag on clothing or in physical and digital media must ask permission and pay a fee.
However, as a staunch supporter of Indigenous empowerment, the Australian Rugby League have made it ‘fucken clear’ they will not bend the knee to some migaloos who are trying to make their players and fans pay money for showing pride in First Nations culture.
“How does get fucked sound?” said rugby league commissioner, Saint Peter V’Landys, after being asked for his thoughts on the most recent exploitation of the Aboriginal community by the white saviour industry.
“Because that’s all you are getting out of us. A big fat get fucked”
Luritja artist Harold Thomas designed the flag and was formally recognised as the rightful owner in a 1997 Federal Court ruling. He sold the rights exclusively to WAM Clothing in November 2018. Since owning the rights WAM has issued a number of cease-and-desist notices to companies an charities “illegally” using the flag without paying for the rights.
In the AFL, a change.org petition has gained over 100,000 signatures after Collingwood Football Club backed the cause ahead of the AFL’s Indigenous Round this weekend. Other AFL clubs have since offered their support and the flag will not be used in an official capacity this weekend.
However, in the NRL, a game that is made up of a 25% Indigenous playing group, Peter V’Landys says the idea of the game being stung for their very liberal use of the Aboriginal flag is almost comical.
“This isn’t even a conversation. These migaloos have another thing coming if they think they are getting one cent out or Koori and Murri footballers and their communities”
“This is actually so funny. We’ve just been able to get out 15 rounds of football in the middle of a COVID-19 pandemic and these stupid skippy pricks think that they can push us around with copyright law”
“Come down to Wollongong some time and we can chat about it”
