Update
Israel Folau has been found guilty of breaching Rugby Australia’s code of conduct on Tuesday evening.
No sanction has been handed down as yet.
An official release from Rugby Australia reads.
“The panel has today provided a judgement that Israel Folau committed a high-level breach of the Professional Players’ Code of Conduct with his social media posts on April 10, 2019.
The panel will now take further written submissions from the parties to consider the matter of sanction.”
» Full story: Israel Folau found guilty of breaching Rugby Australia code of conduct
Article as follows
Israel Folau’s epic code of conduct hearing has entered a 19th hour in Sydney but there’s unlikely to be a decision by the end of the day.
Israel Folau has now spent more than twice as long holed up at his code of conduct hearing as he’s played Super Rugby for the NSW Waratahs in 2019.
Folau’s epic fight to save his Australian rugby career has entered a 19th hour, with talk the dual international’s legal team will be required to continue arguing his case against Rugby Australia for a fourth day on Wednesday.
The Wallabies superstar’s landmark hearing resumed at the offices of Herbert Smith Freehills in Sydney’s CBD on Tuesday after some of the brightest brains in the land spent the weekend debating the complex case at RA headquarters.
RA earlier said the three-person panel was not expected to reach a decision on Tuesday, but it was hoped that the severity of any breach of Folau’s four-year, $4 million contract would be determined.
While the governing body appears intent on terminating Folau’s contract for his provocative social media posts, NSW Waratahs chairman Roger Davis has called for “common sense” and a settlement.
“This is a no-win situation for the game and fans and I’d like to see it resolved as quickly as possible,” Davis told the Sydney Morning Herald.
“I think a settlement is a common sense approach … it would be smart. If this goes for a long time there are definitely no winners.
“Let’s see if we can bring some common sense to the table and work out a solution that keeps everyone happy but with a three-party deal that’s not as easy as it sounds.”
The outcome of the hearing could range from Folau being free to return to training and playing with the Waratahs up to termination, with fines or suspensions also options depending on the verdict.
If there’s no settlement, it’s likely either Folau or RA will appeal any decision, meaning a second code of conduct hearing – with a new independent panel – will be required.
© AAP
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