Brisbane Broncos have released a bizarre statement denying the club's nutrition program endorses veganism after reports emerged star Darius Boyd has adopted a plant-based diet.
In the statement released on Thursday, the club said it had "high-quality meat suppliers that we value enormously as part of our program" and would not be encouraging players to give up animal products.
According to a report in The Courier Mail, Boyd spruiked the benefits of a vegan diet after watching the Netflix documentary The Game Changers.
Teammate Corey Oates confirmed Boyd had spoken to players about ditching meat, but the Broncos winger said: "I can't live like that every day."
Oates also said not many players were eager to try veganism long term.
However, coach Anthony Seibold took time away from leave to quash the suggestions in a strongly worded statement.
"We do not endorse or use a diet of this type in our program," Seibold said.
"And we will not be adopting any approach similar to this kind of diet.
"The Broncos have full-time dietary staff whose important function is to monitor what the players eat, as it is vitally important to our training and development program.
"We also have some high-quality meat suppliers that we value enormously as part of our program.
"If individuals choose this approach that is totally fine for them to make that choice, just as it is if someone gave up a type of food because of religious or ethical beliefs.
"But any suggestion the club would be embarking on a vegan-type approach to player nutrition would be totally incorrect."
Seibold remains on leave, while the bulk of the first grade squad will return to pre-season training next week.
Australian Associated Press
