Israel Folau has met with Rugby Australia CEO Raelene Castle and her NSW Rugby counterpart Andrew Hore, and while he hasn’t been issued with any sanction, the Wallabies star has given no clear commitment to stop his comments demonising gay people.
Folau made headlines last week when he commented on Instagram that God’s plan for gay people is “Hell. Uness they repent of their sins.” Folau also courted controversy last year during the marriage equality plebiscite when he tweeted his support for the ‘no’ campaign.
The comments received widespread backlash and brought Rugby AU under commercial pressure, with high-profile partner Qantas saying they may end their sponsorship following the incident.
However, despite that fallout and recognising that what he said “caused some grief”, Folau has given no guarantee that he won’t make similar comments in the future, with Castle saying the star fullback has gone away to think about his approach to social media after an “open, calm and honest” discussion today.
“Where we’ve got to is Israel’s presented his situation to us and where his views are and his beliefs are and we’re proud of the fact that he’s a strong believer and he’s prepared to stand up for what he believes in and we want athletes in our code that are prepared to do that and that’s really important,” Castle said.
“But at the same time, Rugby Australia’s also got a policy in a position of inclusion and using social media with respect.
“So that’s where we shared stories and we shared ideas and we shared positions and both of us recognise that what we want is a situation where we use our social media platforms in a respectful and positive way.
“Israel’s gone away to think about that. He’s proud of what he is and what he stands for, so he wants to make sure that we’re not asking him to compromise those beliefs.”
Castle said Folau “acknowledged he could have put a more positive spin on the message” – although what kind of a positive spin he could have put on a post condemning gay people to hell wasn’t touched on.
Castle didn’t rule out handing down a sanction to Folau in the future, saying it is an ongoing process, of which the meeting today was only the first step.
Folau, Castle and Hore are set to have further meetings in the coming days.
barry ryan
Guest
Israel Folau is only quoting what it says in the bible he is entitled to his opinion. The question was asked with the intention of inciting trouble. Ask any Muslim footballer of which their are plenty the same question and if they answer truthfully the reply will be the same because both religion's believe the same thing. Would there be this witch hunt if it was Muslim not Christian No Way
bennalong
Guest
A lot of virtue signallers here. Are gays really that sensitive or are you sensitive for them?
Drongo
Guest
Because he stood his ground and the Munster gave in.
Yoshi
Guest
"Today ignorance trumps education." See above poster for perfect example.
piru
Roar Rookie
So, having free speech while systematically being denied employment for it is perfectly fine? Interesting. Stop pretending you don't understand John, you only support Folau because you agree with him. If he'd tweeted in support of Nazis or the KKK you'd rightly support Qantas and ARU distancing themselves or voiding his contract.
piru
Roar Rookie
Seems a bit too literate to be our mate
piru
Roar Rookie
Nor has anyone impinged on his right to free speech This discussion is about his right to be paid large amounts of money to play rugby. one more time for the hard of hearing!
Doc79
Guest
Signing a contract cannot sign away one's human right of freedom of speech or religion. If it attempted to do so it would not stand up in court. His post was from a private account. Castle could push but knows that RA would be in breach and would be liable to Folau.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
If only there was a place these vulnerable young christians could go to and meet other christians, and hang out, and sing songs together, and talk about the bible and stuff. They could meet once a week even, in a place... where they could worship. If only they could do this... if only...
Fionn
Guest
Another new account do you think, Piru?
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Keith, you can’t have it both ways. You can’t say he can say what he wants as it’s his religious belief. Then say, it’s not his words it’s Gods so he isn’t responsible.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
So, it is hateful speech against all non-Christians, not just gays. Great, now he is targeting me too. The gospel, taken literally, is an offense to intelligent thinkers. Discriminatory ideology is a barrier for any employment, not just professional sport.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Izzy chose to follow the belief system of this cult, recently in fact. I am attacking his choice as well.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Poey for example.... Refused to Marry until his Gay friends had the Right to. Izzy should be weary of "exuberant" tackles and clean outs when (if) he goes back into the wallaby training camp, or on the field for that matter.. I am betting there are a few large Irish blokes that disagree with his views and will use a different form of communication to voice them on the field.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
No this is your assertion. I am just playing it back to you and, against my better judgement, defending 2 Billion Christians from being falsely accused.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Assertion that a minority group will go to hell, a place established as a miserable violent place not hateful? Perhaps you need to get your moral compass re-magnetized. Just because it is in a book, doesn't mean you have to agree with it. Like football codes, he has shopped religions in the past too. It is time he finds a new, better Deity, it will be his third. May I suggest William Webb-Ellis. (All Hail Old Bill - Hail) Or better still, Provan-Summons As far as I am concerned he can go back to League, if they will have him, after all the NRL have an inclusive moral code too.
aussikiwi
Guest
Yeah but his god wouldnt condemn people to eternal damnation unjustly, right? Therefore, under Folau's religion, the one he believes in and preaches, gays deserve to go to hell.
aussikiwi
Guest
Easy, Ben. As discussed on Kick and Chase last night, he is being treated with kid gloves because he is off contract shortly, league clubs are sniffing around, and RA wants to keep him in rugby.
aussikiwi
Guest
Get real, Keith of WA. IF is an evangelical Christian. He believes everything he thinks god has told him. According to his interpretation of god's word unrepentant gays deserve to go to hell just because they are gay. The only straw person here is the one you are constructing in a futile attempt to disguise the homophobia implicit in Folau's tweet.
piru
Roar Rookie
No he hasn't, he just said it was codswallop you can have your opinion, I can have mine that yours is stupid that's how free speech works