Quote:
Israel Folau sacked over controversial Instagram post
MAY 17, 2019
Israel Folau’s contract has been torn up by Rugby Australia following a drawn-out code of conduct hearing that reached a dramatic conclusion this afternoon.
Rugby Australia (RA) chief executive Raelene Castle confirmed the verdict at RA headquarters in St Leonards, Sydney, saying an independent three-person panel ruled Folau’s four-year contract, reportedly worth $4 million, should be terminated.
The panel of John West QC, Kate Eastman SC and John Boultbee SC determined that Folau’s controversial Instagram post last month constituted a high-level breach of the RA code of conduct.
Castle said Folau’s actions left the game with no other option but to terminate his contract.
“We want to stress that this outcome is a painful situation for the game,” Castle said.
“Rugby Australia did not choose to be in this situation, but Rugby Australia’s position remains that Israel, through his actions, left us with no choice but to pursue this course of action.
“This has been an extremely challenging period for rugby and this situation has created an unwanted distraction in an important year for the sport and for the Wallabies.
“Our clear message to all rugby fans today is that we need to stand by our values.”
Rugby Australia released a statement during Castle’s press conference, in which the CEO declared the panel’s decision “will change the landscape for sport in Australia and possibly across the world”.
Folau’s contract terminated
“While NSWRU is disappointed to lose a player of Israel’s calibre, rugby has a Code of Conduct and values that we must adhere to ensure that our game remains a game for all, no matter people’s background or beliefs.”
Here’s the statement in full: pic.twitter.com/fQnHlG8zDE
— Ruth Wynn-Williams (@RuthWW) May 17, 2019
The Rugby Union Players Association also released a statement to announce it will not be making any public comment until after Folau announces if he intends to appeal the verdict or not.
Castle confirmed she had not spoken to Folau directly to deliver the news that leaves the superstar’s career on the brink.
The Waratahs fullback has 72 hours to appeal the ruling with a different three-member RA panel, however, the 30-year-old is reportedly determined to take the dispute directly to the Supreme Court, such is his conviction that he is being wrongly persecuted for expressing his religious beliefs.
Further legal action would reportedly be a disastrous result for RA with the same report claiming the code has already spent more than $350,000 in legal fees — and it could just be the start.
A report from The Daily Telegraph claimed “rugby will burn” while Folau pursues his legal options through the courts.
It was reported earlier this week that the panel had come to a unanimous decision that Folau’s high-level breach warranted the termination of his deal.
The decision leaves Folau a free agent available to play for any code and league of his choice. Widespread reports, however, claim the former NRL and AFL star is likely to be forced overseas if he wants to continue playing rugby. With wife Maria Folau already moving to Adelaide to continue her professional netballing career, Israel Folau is reportedly a strong chance to end his career on the spot, rather than play internationally.
The Wallabies star was stood down by Rugby Australia in April after he posted an image on Instagram, saying “drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists idolaters” were going to hell.
Those that are living in Sin will end up in Hell unless you repent. Jesus Christ loves you and is giving you time to turn away from your sin and come to him. _______________ Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these , adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19*-21 KJV _______________ Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:38 KJV _______________ And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Acts 17:30 KJV _______________
A post shared by Israel Folau (@izzyfolau) on Apr 10, 2019 at 1:18am PDT
The contract termination verdict means Rugby Australia will not have to a pay a further cent of his rich deal.
The governing body earlier this month reportedly offered Folau a settlement payment of $1 million – but that figure has been denied by RA.
Folau on Sunday revealed how he resisted the “temptation” of a peace offering from Rugby Australia that would have allowed him to resurrect his playing career.
The Wallabies star described his fallout with the governing body as “challenging” and spoke of being tempted by the “opportunity” to rekindle his career with the NSW Waratahs and Wallabies during a Sydney church address.
“Potentially I could get terminated, which means that there’s no more playing contract and therefore no more finances or money coming in,” Folau said from the lectern.
“It would be the first time it has happened to me in my life.
“All the materialistic things I have been able to have over the last number of years are slowly being taken away from me.
“It’s been really challenging but also it’s been encouraging to myself to see what my God is actually doing.”
He said the rich peace offering from RA was “Satan’s work”.
“The way Satan works is he offers you stuff that could look good to the eye and makes you feel comfortable, and if you follow that path all the worries and troubles will go away,” he said
“(But) it is always the will of God that comes first.” The panel deciding Folau’s fate is considering written submissions from both the player’s legal team and Rugby Australia before handing down their verdict. Both parties then have a right of appeal, meaning the most divisive matter in Australia could drag on for weeks and months yet.
With AAP