Rugby Australia and NSW Rugby have released a joint statement confirming their intent to sack controversial player Israel Folau after another homophobic social media post earlier this week.
Rugby Australia CEO Raelene Castle confirmed on behalf of the two organisations in the statement that “it is our intention to terminate his contract.”
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Folau’s Instagram post on Wednesday claimed to be a warning to homosexuals – as well as other groups – that “hell awaits”.
Folau also tweeted criticism for the Tasmanian government’s decision to make gender optional on birth certificates, stating “The devil has blinded so many people in this world, REPENT and turn away from your evil ways.”
The incident is the latest in a series of homophobic outbursts from the Waratah and Wallaby full back, dating back to the 2017 same-sex marriage referendum.
Castle said that both Rugby Australia and NSW Rugby had made repeated attempts to contact Folau and his management since the post was made, to no response.
“Rugby Australia and the New South Wales Rugby Union have made repeated attempts to contact Israel both directly and via his representatives since 6.30pm on Wednesday, and at this point he has failed to communicate directly with either organisation,” said Castle.
“Whilst Israel is entitled to his religious beliefs, the way in which he has expressed these beliefs is inconsistent with the values of the sport. We want to make it clear that he does not speak for the game with his recent social media posts.
“Israel has failed to understand that the expectation of him as a Rugby Australia and NSW Waratahs employee is that he cannot share material on social media that condemns, vilifies or discriminates against people on the basis of their sexuality.
“Rugby is a sport that continuously works to unite people. We want everyone to feel safe and welcome in our game and no vilification based on race, gender, religion or sexuality is acceptable and no language that isolates, divides or insults people based on any of those factors can be tolerated.
“As a code we have made it clear to Israel formally and repeatedly that any social media posts or commentary that is in any way disrespectful to people because of their sexuality will result in disciplinary action.
“In the absence of compelling mitigating factors, it is our intention to terminate his contract.”
Rugbyrah
Roar Rookie
Gibson is very interested to know about the better options than Israel. Can you please share your insights? It seems the Canterbury defeating Tahs are now impotent in attack.
AaronL
Roar Rookie
The one that has caused the most controversy (homosexuality) is a minority group (and the one that is most easily attributable). If I say I hate liars, no one would get offended even though we all lie. It's not like you are labelled a liar because you lie occasionally. In fact, if he had left homosexuality off the list, no one would've cared or have been offended. Minority or not though, it's vilification and has no place in contemporary sport.
Katherine W
Roar Rookie
What I think about Israel Folau.. I believe if you replace the word Christian with the word arse-hole and the sentence still makes sense then you are not being a Christian, you are merely using religion to excuse your personal intolerance and bigotry. “As a ___________ I think if you do not repent you are an abomination and I will not tolerate you.” “As a ____________ I must help those in need” “As a ____________ I believe if you do not repent then you are evil and damned and will burn in Hell for eternity” “As a _____________ I must lead my life as an example of how Jesus lived - with love, tolerance and humility.” ...So in my book Israel Folau is just a self righteous arse-hole.
piru
Roar Rookie
That's actually a good analogy - didn't he declare he had no intention of changing the way he played then as well?
Vman2
Roar Rookie
While I wish RA and the media had just ignored his silly views and shown a little tolerance and inclusiveness, it seems that is not to be. This has become such a storm in a teacup that it's hard to see how he can be picked for the Wallabies now. After all this faux outrage, Falou comes with a risk that this controversy will derail the tiny chance the Wallabies have to do anything remarkable in the World Cup. I'm old enough to remember when rugby taught young boys resilience in the face of adversity. It seems the message these days is quite the reverse and we should sack people in case some delicate person, somewhere, sometime is offended over some silly comments.
Vman2
Roar Rookie
"He can be as Christian as he likes and play for Rugby Australia, he just can’t use hateful language online. " Except under his belief system he is not being hateful at all. Quite the reverse. He is saying sinners need to repent to enjoy the afterlife. If you have been born in the last 2,000 years, this probably isn't news to you. We have to remember that he thinks hell is a real place and loving thing to do it to beg people to repent so that they avoid that place. He is not using it as a hateful put down. He sees it as loving advise, under his belief system. "..contrary to his employers clearly stated values and expectations" except it seems it is not so clearly stated as supposed. Although we don't know, since we don't know what it says. Clementine Ford was flat out hateful, hypocritical and spitefully bigoted. She was trying to be hateful and divisise. Spreading sexist bigotry was her objective. Nothing to do with spiritual beliefs at all. It was all about being bigoted in real life. And she only got sacked after years of her unrelentingly appalling behaviour. Only for the taxpayer funded ABC to immediately hire her again.
Vman2
Roar Rookie
Are you saying alcoholics are not vulnerable?
Vman2
Roar Rookie
I'm not a Christian but the 10 commandments do not say not to work on the Sabbath. It says to keep the Sabbath holy. Which the vast majority of Christians have always understood to mean to have/attend a service. Anyway it's a moot point. IF can be selective in whatever beliefs he wants about the afterlife. Plus it's just standard Christian teaching that sinners go to hell unless they repent. Nothing new in it at all. All this faux outrage about what has been common knowledge for more than 2,000 years.
Vman2
Roar Rookie
I am in at least 2 of the groups you claim he has persecuted. I can fairly confidently assure you that when you put these 8 groups together, as Falou has, then we are not a minority.
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
And, more to the point, 0 + 1 = 1
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
Oaf You’re the one calling me an a*hole and I’m the one getting hot under the collar. That really how it works ? Counting works like this: 1. calling me an a*hole + 2. I’m the one getting hot under the collar = 2
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
Just one actually. And, apparently, based on a thought process so obscure you can't even figure it out. You sure this isn't cutting into your core time of defending homophobes?
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
Just an observation or two.
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
I'm familiar with the idiom. Just curious how you managed to work that out in your lil ol Petey head. You're the one calling me an a*hole and I'm the one getting hot under the collar. That really how it works ?
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
Collar refers to top of shirt that is absent from T-shirts.
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
Huh ?
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
Aren't all words made up ?
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
Little heated under the collar are we, Oaf?
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
This comment has been removed for breaching The Roar's comments policy.
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
If I wish to hear from an arzehole, I’ll pass my own wind.