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Grand Final Rainbow Flags 'Have Not Been Banned': NRL

Reports of a ban are incorrect.
The NRL is allowing rainbow flags at the grand final.
Jason Reed / Reuters
The NRL is allowing rainbow flags at the grand final.

The NRL says any banner that's not offensive can be taken to Sunday's grand final, contradicting media reports suggesting that rainbow flags would be confiscated by security at the ground.

NewsCorp Australia reports on Sunday said rainbow flags and 'yes' or 'no' slogans were banned from rugby league's showcase event and would be taken by security personnel making bag checks on arrival.

The policy was put in place because the political nature of the item could "upset other patrons", NewsCorp reports.

However, the NRL has quashed the report, saying that any flag could be brought into the ground as long as it's not offensive and not too big, according to Channel Seven.

"Rainbow flags have not been banned. If they exceed the size requirement or include content deemed offensive (swear words etc), they would not be allowed," NRL communications manager Glenn Jackson was quoted as saying.

The same-sex marriage debate has found its way into the NRL grand final between Melbourne and North Queensland, largely due to US rapper Macklemore being booked as the pre-game act.

Macklemore's gay marriage anthem Same Love will be one of the songs he plays before the game kicks off at 7.15pm AEDT.

The 2013 track rocketed up the iTune charts this week thanks to the ongoing debate over same-sex marriage as Australia completes the postal survey on the issue.

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