Macklemore is slated to perform at half-time during the hotly anticipated match at Sydney's ANZ Stadium on Sunday.
But his pro-LGBTQI song ‘Same Love’ is taking the heat – as prominent anti-same-sex marriage supporters such as former prime minister Tony Abbott branding it as unnecessary “politicising”.
The debate was sparked by a petition which argued that the song should not be performed while debate over the postal survey on same-sex marriage occured.
MP Bob Katter backed these calls on Thursday, accusing NRL CEO Todd Greenberg of “besmirching” the sport.
“If they [the NRL] take the most sacred day of the year, outside of Christmas, and use it to promote their sexual proclivities, that is an insult and an offence to every single follower of rugby league in this country,” he told ABC 7.30.
“This CEO bloke who made this decision – mate, it’s tantamount to seeping sewage into the debutante ball."
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull appeared on Channel Ten’s 'The Project' to hit back and .
"Trying to censor the playlist at the half-time entertainment at the grand final is not consistent with taking a liberal approach to free speech," Mr Turnbull said.
"I believe in free speech. Let him play the song."
