Rugby Australia will grill Israel Folau over his use of social media after the Wallabies superstar’s latest homophobic comment, which is in stark contrast to the position of its major sponsor.
RA announced on Thursday that chief executive Raelene Castle and Waratahs boss Andrew Hore would meet with Folau following a statement he made on Instagram.
Australia’s highest-profile player, who is a devout Christian, sparked social media outrage on Wednesday when he said gay people were headed to “HELL … Unless they repent of their sins and turn to God” in response to a question on Instagram.
The governing body said “Folau’s personal beliefs do not reflect the views of Rugby Australia” as a flurry of Twitter users questioned whether Qantas — a vocal supporter of same-sex marriage — should align itself with the Wallabies and, by association, Folau.
Castle said both organisations were treating the matter seriously.
“Israel’s comment reflects his personal religious beliefs, however it does not represent the view of Rugby Australia or NSW Rugby,” Castle said in a statement.
“We are aligned in our view that rugby is a game for all, regardless of sexuality, race, religion or gender, which is clearly articulated in rugby’s inclusion policy.
“We understand that Israel’s comment has upset a number of people and we will discuss the matter with him as soon as possible.”
The latest comment, which comes six months after Folau tweeted that he opposed gay marriage, puts RA in a difficult predicament.
The 62-Test star is off contract at the end of this year, with Wallabies coach Michael Cheika desperate to secure his attacking trump for next year’s World Cup in Japan.
Folau deleted the post but a screen shot allowed other social media users — including the fullback’s 337,000 Instagram followers — to see the provocative exchange.
Many social media users were less than pleased that “unlike Australia, Israel Folau isn’t moving with the times”.
“Does @Qantas or the @qantaswallabies have any comments on @IzzyFolau stating that all gay people are going to hell. Is that a core belief of Qantas and the Wallabies?” another user asked.
Another posted: “@Qantas As a major Sponsor for the wallabies are you ok with @IzzyFolau homophobic outburst. Considering a significant amount of your staff are Gay?? I think you should drop the sponsorship.”
Folau, three-times John Eales Medallist as Australian rugby’s Test player of the year, served as a face of the Bingham Cup, an amateur gay rugby tournament staged in Sydney in 2014.
Now he has seemingly contravened RA’s inclusion policy.
“Rugby has and must continue to be a sport where players, officials, volunteers, supporters and administrators have the right and freedom to participate regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race or religion and without fear of exclusion,” the policy states.
“There is no place for homophobia or any form of discrimination in our game and our actions and words both on and off the field must reflect this.”
mark
Guest
Decisions and lifestyles people choose do reap cruel consequences for eternity.
Aem
Guest
Folau is making $2.4m/year in Australian Rugby? Doubt it. NRL pays alright these days - something to do with having loads more TV money because people actually watch it. Now, if you had said half of what he might get if he went overseas, then sure...
Malo
Guest
The pc world has gone nuts, how about the ridiculous situation of a transgender kiwi in the weightlifting women’s event. You get your tester one taken down a few knots and you can compete in women’s events. What a farce .
piru
Roar Rookie
They don't own him No one's forcing him to be a Wallaby
Jokerman
Roar Guru
I’ve been there and it’s awesome, cuzzzz !! It’s potent, it’s epic...powerful! Love... Peace, love, freedom. Oh and no ---heads...none. Funny I think Sharon Stone entered...sweet as ;)
Jokerman
Roar Guru
No people don’t save a right to hate speech. Believing in a diety does not give someone special rights. There are consequences when people do hate communication, especially on a large social site.
shooshiner
Guest
So Folau could be playing with non Christians and Athiets in his team and now he has said they will go to hell if they don`t repent as well. Right ? Oh Dear. Athiests don't repent Israel!!!!!!!!!!!!
shooshiner
Guest
Harden up princess !!
shooshiner
Guest
Malo, You are a Microbe.
shooshiner
Guest
He should as a person with a high profile said " No comment ".but having the brain the size of a pea he couldn`t help himself.
shooshiner
Guest
Nigel Owens is laughing somewhere and muttering. " Izzy remember the 2015 RWC Final BOYO ? ".
shooshiner
Guest
I wish you didn't. FFS
shooshiner
Guest
Folau must go !! If an Athiest or Racist Wallaby tweeted those things they`d be sacked.
Phil Clark
Guest
I applaud Israel in sticking to his principles and beliefs, so most of society might say that he is homophobic but in the end God isn’t going to apologies to the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. God is loving and patient but he will fulfil His Word, the choice is ours.
Stephen
Guest
So it's OK for Qantas to officially partner with Emirates, an airline from a country where it is illegal to be gay, but not for Folau to answer a question honestly? I sense a convenient hypocrisy.
The RAs Poster Child
Guest
Folau won't be touched. He had the RA wrapped around his fingers. The first sign of RA threatening him he will walk to the NRL. And, everyone will panic because Australian Rugby has all of its eggs in one basket. Oh, and he's a Waratah.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Hard to get the toast right in by virtue of all the flames I guess.
Targa
Guest
His statement is not homophobic. It neither shows fear of homosexuals, nor hatred of homosexuals. It is theological. If someone had asked him about atheists/agnostics/followers of other religions should've (logically) said they were going to hell as well. That would not mean he either feared them (meaning of 'phobia') or hated them ('new' meaning. It would merely mean that those who choose to live their lives on earth away from the Christian God would spend eternity away from Him. What Folau wrote was insensitive and ill considered, but wasn't homophobic. He should have repeated what Jesus said to a woman in sexual sin who repented of her acts (as many ex homosexuals do when they come to Christ): "Your sins are forgiven. Go and sin no more"
Rugby101
Guest
We should not tolerate the intolerant!
tamaolevao
Guest
For me i would save judgement for whomever takes up the position where nothing but MONEY wins the debate? 1.folau is he gonna clarify/ retract his statement to protect his brand/ contract ? Rumors abound hes heading back to league so he dosent care what ARU do least of all qantas 2. ARU are they serious about their stance and what punishment is to handed to their best back ( at times best wallabie on his day) .......can they go without qantas dollars or just handle this behind closed doors giving izzie a warning then back to business of preparing for a world cup campaign? 3. Qantas is mr Joyce about to pull the plug on their long and illustrious partnership.? Will this hurt qantas brand if they stay or go? Do qantas shareholders even care or is there a overwhelming feeling of outrage in their ranks that cutting ties is the only business decision to make?....... The media is right to jump on this i think and is bringing to light a very serious issue concerning a maganilised section of our community..... as a Christian i have nothing but love for my gay ,lesbian ,bisexual, intersex brothers and sisters........... It'll be interesting to see whos got their finger on the community pulse and can worm their way out of this with thier brand intact ............