The NRL has defended its decision to invite US President Donald Trump and UFC boss Dana White to Allegiant Stadium after White Ribbon severed ties with the game over the move.
Rugby league officials have gone to great lengths to attract the pair; Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter Vโlandys made a personal pitch to Trump on US TV show Fox and Friends, where he unveiled a match ball emblazoned with the word โTRUMPโ. They have yet to hear if Trump will attend.
The Canberra Raiders even invited White to blow their Viking horn pre-game, but the Las Vegas resident will be out of town on game day.
White Ribbon, an organisation that seeks to stop domestic violence against women and children, has ended its long-standing association with the NRL due to its overtures to Trump and White.
It demanded the NRL remove references to White Ribbon in its website and the governing body has complied.
Speaking at a promotion that attracted more than 500 travelling league fans at Resorts World, NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo defended the decision to invite Trump.
US President Donald Trump.Credit: AP
โWe are playing this match in America. Weโre being hosted by America,โ Abdo said. โLast year we invited Joe Biden, this year we invited Donald Trump. We invited the sitting president of the country in which we visit.
โItโs not an unusual practice to do this. Itโs not to say we have any political affiliation with any party. Weโre a sport. Weโre about bringing people together no matter what your political beliefs, no matter what your background.
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