Boxer Anthony Mundine urges boycott of Australian national anthem at two grand finals
Former rugby league star wants to see protest action – over the treatment of Aboriginal people – at the Australian Rules and National Rugby League showpiece events this weekend
Australian boxer and former rugby league player Anthony Mundine has urged Australians to follow the lead set by NFL players in the United States and boycott the national anthem in the grand finals of two codes this weekend.
The AFL’s Australian Rules grand final is due to be held in Melbourne on Saturday before the National Rugby League (NRL) grand final is held in Sydney on Sunday. Both are considered marquee sporting events in Australia.
A campaign to boycott the anthems at both matches has been launched by Australian pop culture website Junkee and Mundine used social media on Thursday to promote the campaign and raise awareness of the treatment of indigenous Australians.
“Been saying this for years!,” Mundine wrote on his Facebook page. “All players aboriginal & non aboriginal should boycott the anthem & start changing Australia’s ignorant mentality.
“Lets move forward together yo.”
In boxing, Mundine has held the WBA super-middleweight title twice, the IBO middleweight title, as well as the WBA interim, international and WBC silver light-middleweight titles.
