The controversy surrounding a picture posted on social media by All Blacks star Sonny Bill Williams appears to have been resolved.
Devout Muslim Williams publicly questioned Instagram's decision to remove the image of him praying with teammate Ofa Tuungafasi ahead of the match against South Africa after a complaint from a 'third party'.
"Hello @Instagram & to all that reported this photo. I'm wondering why this was removed from mine and @TuungafasiO pages?" Williams posted on Twitter.
"Surely a simple picture of someone expressing their gratitude for what they've been blessed with is ok?"
Williams accompanied his post along with the original picture he posted and the notice he received from Instagram saying that the content he shared on the social media site "infringes or otherwise violates" the rights of a third party.
The post has had 9,700 likes and 5,500 retweets within a few hours.
Fans supported Williams, with some calling out the person who reported the post as "bigots".
"That was amazing to see before the match - unfortunately the bigots are out in full force," said one fan.
"@instagram I think you need to review this decision," said another. "Clearly the people reporting it are bigots using your report function to bully another user. Nothing wrong in this photo at all."
Among those backing Williams' post was Welsh TV presenter Matt Johnson, who said: "This doesn’t make any sense. It’s a really great pic.
"I’m not in anyway religious but to see unity, brotherhood and gratitude on an international platform as large as the rugby World Cup is inspiring."
But in a twist, Jamie Pandaram, a senior sports journalist at the Daily Telegraph in Sydney, Australia, has shed some light on why the post was removed.
He said on social media: "I have confirmation the professional photographer who took this picture complained to Instagram after his byline was cropped out.
"Fair enough."
