Politically themed items not banned at NRL grand final: ANZ Stadium

Security will be tight when fans enter ANZ Stadium with concerns the gay marriage stoush will be carried into the venue for the NRL grand final.

File image of Macklemore performing. He will take the stage at the NRL final where he's expected to sing his pro same-sex marriage song

File image of Macklemore performing. He will take the stage at the NRL final where he's expected to sing his pro same-sex marriage song Source: AAP

Sydney's ANZ Stadium has dismissed reports fans will be banned from flying rainbow flags at Sunday night's NRL grand final.

Security will be tight as fans arrive for the season decider between the Melbourne Storm and the Queensland Cowboys.

Politicians and activists from both sides of the gay marriage divide have weighed in after pre-game entertainment US rapper Macklemore revealed he would be singing his hit Same Love, a marriage equality anthem.
The singer stoked the flames by declaring on Saturday he will donate the Australian earnings from the song, which has returned to number one on iTunes in Australia, five years after it was first released, to the "yes" campaign in the postal vote.

He has pledged to donate Australian earnings from his song Same Love to the 'Yes' campaign for same-sex marriage.

"I haven't figured it out yet but I ... want to donate my portion of the proceeds from Same Love that I get off of that record here in Australia to voting yes," Macklemore told the Nine Network on Saturday.

"I need to figure out what that looks like and how to do that but that is something that I'm going to do."

Reports in the Daily Telegraph indicated fans would be searched to ensure no politically themed items, such as rainbow flags and 'yes' or 'no' signs would be brought in.
ANZ Stadium clarified on Sunday morning there was no ban on rainbow flags.

"Fans are encouraged to bring colour and energy to the event and are allowed to express their views," it said in a statement.

"Small flags and banners are permitted".

Fans wearing or displaying inappropriate or offensive logos may be denied entry, which is line with stadium policy for major events.

Team flags will be allowed, but they will be restricted to the official supporter zones at either end of the stadium.
Meanwhile, the NRL denies it has been unable to sell all the tickets to fill the 83,000-seat stadium.

Thousands of free tickets have reportedly been handed out, with sales dragged down by the lack of a Sydney team in the grand final.


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2 min read
Published 1 October 2017 5:14am
Updated 1 October 2017 3:32pm


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