Israel Folau will be free to resume his rugby league career on the Gold Coast after Catalans Dragons agreed to release controversial dual-code international.
The 32-year-old former Melbourne and Brisbane NRL centre had threatened legal action against the Queensland Rugby League after it refused to ratify his registration with junior club Southport Tigers because he was still contracted to his Super League club.
Folau began negotiations with the Catalans last week over a release and the club announced on Monday they had come to a settlement.
“Catalans Dragons can confirm Israel Folau will be released from the remainder of his contract with immediate effect,” a club statement read.
Folau, who was sacked by Rugby Australia in 2019 over homophobic comments he posted on social media, was thrown a lifeline by the French club before the 2020 season, despite opposition from their rival Super League clubs and the governing body.
He played in 15 out of a possible 17 matches last season and agreed a contract extension to the end of 2021 but the Dragons gave him permission to miss the start of this season in order to attend to pressing family matters in Australia.
He was then courted by St George Illawarra and recently attempted to make a comeback with Southport, where his brothers play.
“Israel has been great with us in 2020, both on and off the field, and we wanted to facilitate the negotiations to reach an agreement,” Catalans chairman Bernard Guasch said.
“He told us his desire to play alongside his two brothers and we didn’t want to prevent him.”
Folau played rugby league for Australia before switching to the AFL in 2011 and jumping codes once again to rugby union in 2013.
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
Nah - Clive needs to sue GOD - And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so.
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
no glory in defending a try mate, only scoring them "Hey everybody look at ME"
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
yes another signed contract that Izzy has chosen to not honour – but does this really amaze us? He is out to make as much money as he can then he’ll take over from his old man preaching at his church. Like all good churches, he’ll expect the parishioners to donate their hard earned each week while no doubt he will donate $00.00.
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
"What’s wrong with your foot Barry?" - i saw him in dressing room before, and it didn't look like a foot to me, it looked closer to eight or nine inches."
Andy F
Roar Rookie
Do tell.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Everyone knows exactly what you are
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Everyone knows what you are. You self describe.
Andy F
Roar Rookie
Your characterisation of me is as far off as your understanding of the whole Folau situation. You have proven yourself to be a world class conclusion jumper. If there was an Olympic conclusion jumping event you little fella would win it. But how out of place a gold medal would look lined up next to all of your participation trophies on the shelf next to your bed in your parent’s basement.
Andy F
Roar Rookie
Firstly I don’t think Jesus will be saying anything to me. I’m not a Christian. Secondly, where’s the persecution? Talk about hyperbole.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Never mind champ once you get puberty and acne out of the way you’ll be a happier soul. I hate school holidays
Andy F
Roar Rookie
If you’re going to say choice I will respectively disagree. Not in the manner in which you think I might. There is certainly a burgeoning school of scientific thought that suggests addicts (be it drugs, alcohol, sex etc.) are genetically predisposed. Much in the same way as gay people. Were they persecuted? Are you concerned for them? Anyway I thought this was just a breach of contract argument not a speech argument. Sheesh, you guys really need to make your mind up here.
Andy F
Roar Rookie
So you want to cancel me. Oh poor you. Not up to arguing facts. Perhaps you should stick your fingers in your ears and yell, “la, la,la,la…” over and over again until the voice that doesn’t 100% agree with you goes away. Referring to yourself and the other fanatics here as adults is a bit of a stretch.
Andy F
Roar Rookie
Yes? Don’t stop. Surely you have something clever to say. Or is that it?
Andy F
Roar Rookie
Then you know he was a good player. Every pundit and expert then and now would have him as one of the first 3 or 4 guys chosen if not number 1. But hey, you know best. As for the attempted insult. Do better.
KCR
Roar Rookie
How many did he let in? If you're interested in history. When he made his debut the Wallabies where ranked 2nd in the world, when he left they were outside the top 5. Clearly not a great time for the Wallabies as I said.
piru
Roar Rookie
I’m a libertarian and you’re a cancel culture mobster Speaking of virtue signalling....
Brian Westlake
Roar Rookie
How? Persecution of people because of their sexuality? Gee whiz I can just see Jesus saying "hell awaits you" .... Nah he'll be the one standing there with a rainbow flag telling you to wake up to yourself
Big Al
Guest
'we cannot but speak of the things we've seen and heard' - Acts 4.20
piru
Roar Rookie
Yeah but King Mark smote him and now he's looking for an easier target
piru
Roar Rookie
I’ll ask again, if they validly terminated his contract why did they shell out a bag of cash to settle with him? You've been told several times and just keep repeating yourself, go have a lie down now