srael Folau’s future remains no clearer after his landmark code of conduct hearing was forced into a third day following a weekend stalemate at Rugby Australia headquarters in Sydney.
Folau’s defence counsel and RA’s legal team will return on Tuesday after more than 15 hours of legal arguments weren’t enough for the three-person independent panel to start considering a decision.
RA chief executive Raelene Castle was asked to provide verbal evidence for the second day running, with NSW Waratahs supremo Andrew Hore also called as a witness on Sunday.
Folau is fighting to save his career after Castle issued the dual international with a “high-level” breach notice last month and threatened to tear up his four-year, $4 million contract following his latest round of inflammatory social media posts.
The superstar fullback, who reportedly rejected a $1 million offer to walk away from Australian rugby last week, joined Castle and Wallabies coach Michael Cheika in providing evidence on Saturday.
Folau’s solicitor Ramy Quatami and barrister Adam Casselden have argued that Folau’s Instagram post claiming hell awaits homosexuals and other sinners unless they repent and turn to Jesus was merely a Bible passage and not his direct words.
They also put foot forward the fact that RA didn’t include a specific social media clause when the John Eales Medallist signed a new contract in February.
But after being formally warned last year when he posted similar passages claiming gays were destined for hell, RA’s legal unit believes the 30-year-old has breached both the player code of conduct and social media policies.
Both Folau and RA will have until 72 hours after any decision is handed down to appeal.
Sunday’s developments came after former rugby league international Ian Roberts, that code’s first player to come out, aired his grave concerns about how Folau’s posts could impact on young homosexuals.
“These types of remarks can and do push people over the edge. There can’t be any tolerance of bigotry,” Roberts told Channel Nine’s Sports Sunday program.
“I do feel sorry for Israel but there are consequences to your actions.
“I don’t say this lightly and what I’m about to say, the language I use, is hard and it’s for a point, it’s to get that message across – there are literally kids in the suburbs killing themselves.
“I say that with the greatest sense of respect and I’m not implying that Israel is responsible solely for that – please don’t take it that way – but it’s these types of comments and these types of off-the-cuff remarks when you have young people and vulnerable people who are dealing with their sexuality, confused, not knowing how to deal with it.”
While Cheika last month said he would find it “difficult” to pick Folau for Australia again and senior teammates including Test captain Michael Hooper condemned him for his provocative stance, Folau has not been without support.
“Seriously … Might as well sack me and all the other Pacific Islands rugby players around the world because we have the same Christian beliefs,” Folau’s Wallabies teammate Taniela Toupou posted on Facebook last Tuesday.
If he does have his contract terminated, Folau would be the first professional athlete in Australian sport wiped out for expressing their extreme religious beliefs.
Tander
Guest
DNZ Qantas's values are 100% reflected by their association with RA and , of course, by their association with Emirites airline.
Tander
Guest
I guess if Clive is the sponsor then no one can put up posts about obese people---Think of the 12yo's who are suffering!
aussierad
Roar Rookie
You would be surprised how much queer fascism and religious fundamentalists see eye to eye.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
@aussierad No, The mob of Homophobes. Ironically, apart from being straight or closeted, they don't have any other restrictions on membership. It is one of the few things fundamentalist Christians and Fundamentalist Muslims see eye to eye on.
aussierad
Roar Rookie
The Christian mob, you mean?
Tander
Guest
Ian Roberts was a gay 12yo back in 1978. How is anything he has to say got any relevance in todays society where gay people are as accepted as any other person. Infact gay people are represented far more on tv and media etc than the small percentage of society that they are. I am glad Roberts is gay as I would not like to see his DNA continued thru him having children as from the looks of it if the child had been hetrosexual roberts would not have been a happy little CAMPer and could well have driven that confused 12yo to commit suiside. In fact his words over the IF issue may well be causing hetrosexual 12yos to do that.
Tander
Guest
He wasnt very good at GWS so I dont think the Lions will want him
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
The evidence is in the suicide letters that refer to individuals like Izzy and groups like the Evangelical Church of Christ making this group of people feel unworthy of life. This is in black and white. As Roberts clearly acknowledges, Folau isn't individually responsible but he is a member of the mob that is. RA are right to exclude active members of this mob.
clipper
Roar Rookie
I think what Kashmir Pete and his ilk mean when they talk about freedom of speech is that it's to be defended to the hilt as long as I agree with the sentiment.
clipper
Roar Rookie
It really depends on whether any had significant profiles or went against any of their companies directions. I'm sure if any worked on the suicide hotline they would've been shown the door quick smart.
aussierad
Roar Rookie
Train Without A Station, once again you need to keep an eye on your train of thoughts. Your sentence does not make any sense. If I try to break it up into two sentences, it could be 1. Can I hire you to defend the spread of bigotry in the future? 2. You suddenly emerge after never posting here. I am not sure how you can hire me to suddenly emerge. And I am not sure how hiring me to defend bigotry is related to suddenly emerging after never posting here. You are very confusing, my friend. Remember my previous lessons, get to the point.
aussierad
Roar Rookie
You are clearly not a Christian. Any Christian would tell you that (1) everyone is a sinner and commits sin (2) and is doomed to Hell unless (3) one repents through Jesus Christ. This is the gospel of Christ. Folau clearly stated in his letter in the Players Tribune that he is a sinner, just like everyone else. The media frames his unfortunate meme as a homophobic rant. The left wings, queer activists and the virtuous brigade selectively hone in like a Hamas missile on Israeli civilians as soon as they see "homosexuals"..."hell"...missed the part about repentance. Clumsy meme, yes. Insensitive, probably. Homophobic, no.
Gee
Roar Rookie
A pool is ok, according to Izzy gamblers are not on the hell bound path.
aussierad
Roar Rookie
Go on then, show us the evidence linking Izzy Folau with deaths of gay people - we'll wait. Meanwhile, there is actual evidence of state sponsored airline partner of Qantas are imprisoning and killing gays.
aussierad
Roar Rookie
The truth is inconvenient and gets in the way of their witch-hunt.
aussierad
Roar Rookie
Liberal and left-wing tree huggers know more about a quote from the Christian bible than you know, Christians themselves.
aussierad
Roar Rookie
It never fails to amuse me when a non-believer lectures a Christian on the bible and what it means. The basic premises of Christianity is everyone is a sinner and sins, and repentance through Christ is the only way to salvation from Hell. Izzy wrote a piece to the Players Tribune to clarify his stance last year, and he stated clearly he is a sinner, just like homosexuals, thiefs, fornicators etc. Izzy's reply that he did it out of love, is because he truly wanted to save the sinners.
duecer
Guest
So, KP, you're saying to us that freedom of speech DOES have consequences?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Can I hire you to suddenly emerge after never posting here to defend the spread of bigotry in the future?
aussierad
Roar Rookie
Can I hire you to be offended on my behalf next time I feel a little precious?