Israel Folau is reportedly planning to take the fight to Rugby Australia regarding their decision last night to terminate his contract following another homophobic social media post from Folau earlier this week.
Folau met with Rugby Union Players Association boss Prataal Raj earlier this morning, and has also met with Rugby Australia officials including chief executive Raelene Castle today.
Folau is entitled to a code of conduct hearing before Rugby Australia can officially terminate his employment, and he reportedly has made the decision to pursue this process in the hopes his contract will be upheld.
He has reportedly had it made clear to him by Rugby Australia officials that the organisation fully intends to progress with their decision to terminate his contract.
Rugby Australia’s original statement made it clear that Folau would need to provide evidence of “compelling mitigating factors” if they are to the change their mind.
Their statement also said that Folau and his management both failed to respond to repeated attemtps to contact them in the day following his social media activity.
Folau’s Rugby Australia contract currently extends through until the end of the 2022 season and is worth around $1 million per season.
The NRL has already confirmed they will not allow any of their clubs to sign Folau, and he reportedly does not wish to pursue rugby opportunities overseas.
That could mean the end of Folau’s professional career if he is not successful in overturning Rugby Australia’s decision, although an opportunity with Andrew Forrest’s Global Rapid Rugby competition could be an outside chance.
Michael Daly
Roar Rookie
Typical meathead who wants to be involved in everything!
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
I don't need to as I am not claiming that they exist
Neil
Guest
Can you prove the existence of ethics?
Kevin Duffell
Guest
your right his views have no place in our society but unfortunately he has the right to say it
piru
Roar Rookie
I suspect they would have got all their ducks in a row last time he mouthed off in anticipation. Well, I would suspect that of any well run organisation, with RA who knows?
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
It does?
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
A Monty Python reference is pretty highbrow for you Petey well done. AND it nicely got you out of having to address the point that you probably couldn't address. I guess in your head that still leaves you with a leg to stand on.
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
You remind me of that knight in Monty Python's Holy Grail. Just not as comic.
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
Ok, next to nobody. In the thousands of comments made so far you could probably find a couple suggesting his voice be shut down. Pretty close to negligible.
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
notion that his views should be untouchable Nobody is saying this.
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
Nobody? The Roar's own editor, Daniel Jeffrey: Israel Folau’s latest social media post condemning gay people to hell and damnation has no place in rugby union. His views have no place in society at all. How that still escapes him is beyond me.
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
And who says his views have no place in society at all Nobody. But even worse is the notion that his views should be untouchable. Hey he's just vilifying gays, not like he's hitting anybody in the head or anything, why don't we give him a free pass.
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
There is a code of conduct that he may have breached. That's also an issue. But so far RA have stated that: 1. They have unsuccessfully tried to contact Folau through a range of channels 2. Having not been able to contact him they have announced an intention to sack him 3. That intention depends on any mitigating factors How is that anything but due process?
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
ThatsTheJoke.gif
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
He can run a breach of contract but that is harder for him if he has in fact breached terms of a contract. Bloody easy, if he has not in fact breached his contract. Not his burden of proof, by the way.
mjseesred
Roar Rookie
Any derogatory or discriminatory comments that attacks part of the community.
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
And who says his views have no place in society at all? The editor here? That’s an attempt to censor. Truly, the most appalling intrusion on this issue, on this website.
Flyman
Roar Rookie
How do you define what's offensive and to who. Which rule book are you consulting?
Flyman
Roar Rookie
I don't, wouldn't bat an eye lid if he never played rugby again.
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
The only reason there is no evidence of god, heaven and hell is because there is no evidence..