Former Wallaby Israel Folau has thanked donors for pouring more than $570,000 into his legal fight against Rugby Australia, doubling down on his intention to use the funds despite public outcry.
Hardline Christian Folau had his $4 million Rugby Australia contract terminated in May after a social media post citing the Bible was deemed homophobic.
It followed a similar incident last year.
The former NRL, AFL and rugby star received more than $570,000 in donations of a $3 million target to his online fundraising page as of 7.10pm on Saturday.
Almost 7400 people have donated to help support the former player’s legal stoush against RA.
Folau is requesting donations despite a reported $7 million property portfolio and the recent sale of a $500,000 Lamborghini.
He thanked donors on Saturday and said he was “unsurprised” by criticism from RA and media personalities regarding his decision to establish the Go Fund Me page.
“The money that is donated will be used to fund my legal battle, which could take years. While the attacks against me have shown I have a big fight on my hands, I will stand strong,” Folau wrote on social media.
“Your support and my faith in Jesus Christ will give me strength.”
In his initial plea for donations, Folau said he had “the fight of my life on my hands”. He has launched legal proceedings with the Fair Work Commission against RA and is seeking up to $10 million in damages.
The case could be a landmark test of religious freedoms in Australia.
RA were less than impressed by Folau’s attempt to solicit donations online.
“From our perspective (Go Fund Me) is a place where sick children get support, so it’s certainly not a strategy we think is appropriate,” Rugby Australia chief executive Raelene Castle told Nine News on Friday.
Former Wallabies teammate Drew Mitchell also slammed Folau’s decision, saying there were others more deserving of donations.
“YOU are in a fight that YOU chose to be in after YOU broke the terms of YOUR contract, the kids below are in a fight they NEVER wanted to be in & yet YOU think YOU deserve donations more than they do??!!,” he posted online.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Sorry, I shouldn't have presumed. In my opinion, telling Folau that he could return to playing without any fine or suspension of any kind if he deleted the post and promised not to post such material again was a carrot. In fact, Folau was apparently considering accepting this settlement, until his father (I think it was his biological father, not priest father) told him that if he deleted the post he would be 'disowning god's word' and would go to hell himself. https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-union/you-ll-go-to-hell-israel-folau-s-wallabies-career-ended-amid-dad-s-intervention-says-report-20190602-p51tlz.html All the evidence, despite what people pushing their ideological views like Joe want to admit, is of RA trying to find a compromise and a middle ground with Folau, but Folau refusing to budge.
PeterK
Roar Guru
thanks did not know the detail Then my point remains even stronger , if they negotiated better i.e offered some carrot instead of just refraining from the stick then they may have been able to keep folau in the game and qantas still be happy. All I am saying is they did not achieve the best possible outcomes. I didn't say they didn't try.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
No, technically not, but it seems like you're being a bit disingenuous here, Peter. Qantas didn't pull its sponsorship of cricket Australia after they fined and suspended the players involved (their first offence, and they all showed contrition - especially Smith and that young fella); but in the case of Folau, RA told him during the hearing that if he was willing to remove the post and promise not to post such material again, then that would be the end of it - Folau could return to playing with no retribution. Folau chose not to do this (after his priest warned him not to do so). All the evidence is of RA trying to find a middle ground, and Folau not budging, and this is after RA forgave him his first offence a year ago too.
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
Yeah who's decision was it to start treating those gays like I dunno people. This might not be your century - pity.
Ruckin oaf
Guest
Lesse see now I can't recall any unmarried hertro couples recently bashed in London because of their rampant unwed heterosexuality. I've never heard of an unwed hetro male being terrified that his parents might find out that he's in a hetro relationship. Or read too many articles by a young hetro male wondering if in the future it will be safe for him to describe his partner to a stranger as his "girlfriend' etc etc etc False equivalency can't think of what this debate needs more.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Steady on. Just celebrating a just result. Not sure what is childish about that. The minds of the 6,000 who donated might be a better place for you to start.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
No Zlatan. What is so wrong with desperately hoping that that moron has to pay his own bills?
clipper
Roar Rookie
A victory of common sense really - what would've been next - the Westboro church trying to fund their activities, neo nazis trying to start a new party?
Penster
Roar Guru
All those atrocities regularly happened to gay people not so long ago. Israel can GoFundHimself. And learn to read a contract while he's at it.
anon
Roar Pro
This will only strengthen the resolve of Folau and his supporters.
Hoges
Roar Rookie
I lodged a formal complaint with Go Fund Me last night! I cited that clause as well as it being fraudulent and immoral. Feeling pretty good today I can tell you. Even I only played a small part I’ll take it!!
Hoges
Roar Rookie
Page has been taken down and it’s all being refunded. Apparently there is a god hahahahaha
Zlatan
Roar Rookie
How old are you? 10 ?
Stuart Thomas
Expert
And the page is down.......yesssss!
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
Check this out https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/we-looked-at-the-tandcs-on-gofundme-theres-no-question-that-israel-folau-breaches-them/ar-AADi4C4?li=AAgfYrC&ocid=mailsignout According to GoFundMe’s Terms and Conditions, Folau's GoFundMe appeal seems to be in definite breach of their policies. According to Number 8, Section A of GoFundMe’s Terms and Conditions, campaigns which they deem to be in support of, or for the legal defence of, the following crimes are prohibited. “Campaigns we deem, in our sole discretion, to be in support of, or for the legal defence of alleged crimes associated with hate, violence, harassment, bullying, discrimination, terrorism, or intolerance of any kind relating to race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, sex, gender or gender identity, or serious disabilities or diseases,” the website clearly states. There is also a petition - Change.org petition has started imploring the crowd-funding platform to remove Folau's page. For those who want to sign go here https://www.change.org/p/gofundme-gofundme-please-remove-folau-s-inmoral-fundraiser
neostars
Roar Rookie
You got to be kidding, new.com.au is pathetic website full of crap bias stories.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Fionn - Qantus said this is RA's issue to resolve and they support the solution put in place. However nothing indicates that other solutions would not have been acceptable i.e that Qantus would withdraw its sponsorship if any other outcome occurred other than terminating Folau's contract. Supporting 1 outcome does not exclude supporting other outcomes.
jameswm
Roar Guru
KP I asked the same question and was told as a middle aged straight white guy I am more resilient.
Joe
Roar Rookie
No it isn't. That is your opinion. In my opinion there is nothing there to suggest that Joyce asked for Folau's sacking.
Joe
Roar Rookie
No I've given my opinion and the reasons why I've come to that conclusion if you've been reading my posts or a number of others here. Of course I don't like the course of action RA has taken hence my opinion that they're incompetent! Would it make any sense that I think they're incompetent and agree with their decision!?? You seem to think you have all the facts but you don't. They took one course of action which I think made things worse and then continue to make missteps along the way hence my opinion that they're completely incompetent. You seem to think that anyone who has a contrary opinion is against 'facts' or lacks understanding or has an ideology. And of course this is my opinion, it is my right in this country to have one which is something you don't seem to understand. Let me help you with how facts and opinions work. Fact - Wallabies have a new jersey for World Cup. My opinion - it looks terrible. Someone elses opinion - it looks great. One has nothing to do with the other!