SBW's conscientious objection over logo

Sonny Bill Williams on the charge for the Blues against the Highlanders. Photo Getty
Sonny Bill Williams on the charge for the Blues against the Highlanders. Photo Getty
Sonny Bill Williams lodged a conscientious objection about wearing a bank sponsor's logo on his Blues jersey against the Highlanders last night.

However, he is in the clear - with the All Blacks at least - over last night's protest and will not face any misconduct charge.

Williams  taped over a bank logo on his jersey but New Zealand Rugby has no major concerns. What is being seen as a religious stand won't get in the way of him reclaiming the All Black jersey he last wore in the 2015 World Cup final.

Williams  will still have some issues to clear with the Blues, however.

An NZR spokesperson has told Newstalk ZB's Tony Veitch that Williams had lodged a conscientious objection. Any player could lodge such an objection to promoting finance, alcohol, tobacco, gambling companies and banks.

Williams tweeted this afternoon that he intends to clarify his position during the week.

The spokesperson was not aware of any similar objections being lodged by other players.

NZR was unaware that SBW would put a plaster over the BNZ sign on his collar for his debut against the Highlanders in Dunedin last night, but there would be no misconduct charge, and the spokesman said it was "an issue for the Blues".

Williams has not declared why he covered up the logo but speculation is rife it relates to his Muslim faith, which is opposed to gathering interest on fees on loans.

Blues assistant coach Steve Jackson said he was surprised by the act and his team would be addressing it with Williams' management this week.

"The sponsors pay our wages and you look to do everything you can to make them happy, so I'm not really sure what occurred or what's really happened," Jackson told Newstalk ZB's Tony Veitch.

Williams converted to Islam in 2009, a religion which frowns upon borrowing money or paying interest to banks.

The rules surrounding money lending lie in the principles of Islam's shariah law.

A BNZ spokeswoman said the bank had no issue with their logo being covered up.

"It's really between him and the Blues - we've got no issue with it," she said.

"He's entitled to have religious beliefs and customs around that and it's really between him and the Blues as to how that manifests itself. So we have no issue with it."

 

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