Israel Folau’s controversial bid for a rugby league return has been given a reality check by Queensland Rugby League.
In a statement on Wednesday the QRL hit back at threats of legal action by Folau’s backer Clive Palmer and revealed it was yet to receive confirmation the dual international had been released from his playing contract with Catalans in France.
The QRL cannot proceed with any registration approval until that clearance is received.
Folau, who is seeking approval to play with Southport in Gold Coast park football, had his Rugby Australia contract torn up in 2019 over homophobic social media posts.
He then joined the Dragons on a deal that remains active until the end of this year, only returning to Australia on compassionate grounds.
The QRL made it clear Folau’s controversial social media posts do not align with their beliefs and that, if he was signed, any breach of the code of conduct could lead to suspension, or the cancellation of his registration.
Palmer had sensationally given the QRL until Wednesday to clear the 32-year-old’s return, claiming failure to do so will see him issue a Federal Court injunction against the governing body on religious discrimination grounds.
“While the QRL acknowledges the differing views in relation to this application, the league is astounded that public commentary has included threats of protracted legal action should registration not be granted,” a QRL statement read.
“As a not-for-profit organisation, the QRL’s objectives are to foster and develop the game in Queensland, and to generally take action that is considered to be in the best interests of rugby league in Queensland.”
Catalans have so far refused to release Folau, stating he remains contracted this season and that they were surprised by his appearance last week alongside Palmer.
The QRL board said, on receipt of international clearance, that Folau will be “granted permission to register for the Southport Tigers at a community rugby league level and no higher”.
Another condition for registration was confirmation Folau had read and understood his obligations as a player under the QRL rules and community code of conduct.
GregM
Roar Rookie
https://www.msn.com/en-au/sport/rugby-league/folau-legal-battle-taking-money-away-from-grassroots-says-qrl/ar-AAKK6ku?ocid=mailsignout&li=AAgfYrC Got to love Izzy, screw grassroots rugby league, who needs it anyway?
piru
Roar Rookie
We don't have a right to free speech, just quietly.
piru
Roar Rookie
He quoted the bible which is a capital crime in today’s western world. Why? Because much of it is hate speech by today's standard would be my guess
piru
Roar Rookie
Now they're suing QRL for discrimination because Folau didn't get a release. Clive has far too much money and far too little sense. He seems to actually enjoy wasting money on doomed law suits. Mark McGowan says hi, Clive
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
It isn't but that's not remotely what I meant Brian
Paulo
Roar Rookie
“... trusting him...” Well, there was their first mistake.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Big Mig, the players probably illicit a different response due to their previous behaviour. Perhaps people expected more respect to be shown by IF to Catalans when they were the ONLY club willing to take a chance. Perhaps people feel he screwed then over. In the space of a few posts you’ve criticised the public outrage at IF for breaking yet another contract, then said we can’t compare the two situations as we don’t the contractual details, then listed a bunch of things that are similar in an effort to show that Catalans should have done what the a raiders did - even though, as you pointed out, we don’t know the contractual details. Also, all this contractual spin that you’ve gotten into, doesn’t change the original post you had which was about the outrage and not the contractual details. The outrage is because we are sick of seeing him screw over a bunch of sports he supposedly loves. Now he is seeing QRL, after they have said they will let him play once he has been cleared by Catalans. Did he even think that Catalans might have a legal grievance if QRL try and contract him. Or that QRLs contract could be made void if the Catalans contract was deemed to supersede theirs? That’s speculation on my part, but there would have to be a reason for them to want the clearance. They have clearly said that they will let him play. And his thank you to them is he is now seeing them for religious discrimination. I mean, it’s easier now he has Clive to crowd fund from, but still.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
As sad as it is, and I do feel bad for Catalans, but seeing how he broke his code of conduct, lied about not doing it again, did it again, then sued RA for discrimination, scammed a whole bunch of people with a crowd funding scam to fight for religious freedom, then cut a deal in the back room and bolted with the settlement payout without doing a single thing for religious freedom... Catalan’s signed him when no one was was stupid enough to do it. Now he has run out on them, is anyone, like anyone at all, even remotely surprised he has once again not kept his word?
steveng
Roar Rookie
Just trolling righteous comments by you that are irrelevant, the sad one is you.
Former Roarer
Guest
Lol. How sad for you to be so angry at the world.
Phil
Roar Rookie
This whole scenario is getting sillier by the day, but I suppose if Clive Palmer is involved we have to expect it. Folau is registered to Catalans yet Palmer is saying that's not true. The QRL says it will register Folau once he is released from his contract with Catalans which seems fair enough. Now blunderbus Clive is saying he is going to sue the QLR because it is discriminating against Folau on religious grounds regardless of the QRL agreeing to register Folau if he is cleared to play. Geez, if it's that easy to sue the QRL I'm going to try and play and when they see I'm too bloody old and not good enough I'll sue them for discriminating against my age and lack of talent. I'll give Clive a ring and see if he will finance me.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Seriously, the general concept of civil ceremonies? He also got hot under the collar about how birth certificates are filled in, which verses cover that one?
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Seriously? The actual words 'set the country on fire' aren't there, but there isn't room here to list the relevant verses that cover the general concept.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Fair comment :thumbup:
GregM
Roar Rookie
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-27/israel-folau-launches-legal-action-against-qrl/100171474 So Mr Folau is now taking legal action against the QRL. He signs a contract in the UK and dishonours it, then threatens to sue his possible future employer & playing the discrimmination card – this blokes all class. If i were his home loan bank manager or his wife I’d be worried as any other contract he signs he seems to have no problem breaking it
Brian Westlake
Roar Rookie
He, whilst I find it abhorrent due to our legal system, HAS a contract with the club whom he will play for, not someone else
Brian Westlake
Roar Rookie
Minto is in queensland? Swweeet
Brian Westlake
Roar Rookie
Don't you just love how "guests" pop up when it comes to folau? We aren't debating islam here, we're discussing a myopic homophobe that even wishes some of his own extended family dead. Does he forget about the fakaleiti within his own ? Sad beyond belief that he goes against his own Tongan heritage
GregM
Roar Rookie
"Wasn’t he fighting for freedom of speech and the right to spread God’s word via social media back in 2019?" - no, he was fighting for his bank balance and used this as an excuse
GregM
Roar Rookie
maybe he should have got hammered drunk & then posted the comments, then he can blame the evil drink and say he will not drink and text ever again - worked for Pearce