Payne Haas wants to ask Broncos and Blues to REMOVE booze and gambling ads from his jerseys

Payne Haas has detailed his plans to ask Broncos and Blues chiefs to allow the removal of alcohol and gambling sponsors from his jerseys as they do not align with his religious beliefs. 

Haas, 22, became a Muslim in early 2019 and has designs to be a ‘leader for Islam’ through his rugby league exploits, like former All Blacks superstar Sonny Bill Williams. 

Back in 2017, the Kiwi star was given permission to cover up a banking sponsor on his Auckland Blues shirt as his Islamic faith forbids financial institutions charging interest and fees on loans.   

And the Broncos prop says he is keen to follow in the Kiwi’s footsteps. No conversations have been held with the NSWRL over the possibility of covering up brand logos which are not agreeable to Islam, but it is a subject he wishes to discuss.

‘There is going to be a time when I’m going to align with it and I want to be a leader for Islam and for Muslims,’ Haas told the Sydney Morning Herald.

‘Hopefully I can do that one day, inshallah, God willing and can be at the forefront of that, the way Sonny is at the moment.’

Payne Haas says he plans to ask to remove gambling and drinking ads from his jersey

Brisbane Broncos have been associated with beer brand XXXX, although alcohol does not align with Haas’s religious beliefs

Brisbane have been associated with beer firm XXXX for some time but Haas did not single out the brand when detailing how alcohol and betting companies ‘destroy lives’.

‘Obviously I want to help people. I’ve seen it happen to them with that kind of stuff [alcohol and drugs], destroying people’s lives and families. I won’t shy away from that, I’ve seen it happen to some friends and family members. It’s something I’m pretty passionate about.

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‘If I get everything in order in my life, I want to be a leader in that way as well.’ 

As well as Bill Williams, Australian cricketer Fawad Ahmed saw a request for the removal of a beer sponsor granted by Cricket Australia chiefs, and Haas says he wants to ‘end up like them’.

Sonny Bill Williams was given permission to remove the logo of a banking firm from his Auckland Blues jersey in 2017

‘Where they are at in their lives, they have gone with Islam,’ Haas said. ‘At the end of the day, I want to end up like them as my faith keeps continuing and as I grow as a Muslim.

‘For Sonny and all of them, they’ve probably seen it happen to their families and friends. They have wanted to lead by example to fellow Muslims – not only Muslims but everyone.

‘I think everyone is pretty understanding, which is good. Everyone has their own beliefs and if everyone respects that, it will be good for everyone.

‘I know [sponsors] come in with a lot of money, but it’s just more about helping people. If I can help just one person out, save them from that kind of lifestyle, then I’m doing my job.’

Haas says he wants to be a ‘leader for Islam’ and wants to emulate the All Blacks legend

Haas also explained how he lost five kilograms in weight during Ramadan, which he describes as ‘a blessed month’.

‘I’ve done it for four years now, it’s a blessed month,’ Haas said. ‘I did it at the start of this year, lost a lot of weight, so I had to put it back on.

‘I dropped about five kilos. I don’t like playing too light, especially in my position where you cop a lot of knocks, it’s a bit better [when you’re heavier].

‘I’m used to it now. When I first started Ramadan it was a bit hard because it’s so hot, but now my body is pretty used to it. It’s not as hard [now].’