Court documents from former Rugby star Israel Folau’s case against Rugby Australia have revealed that Folau offered to apologise for the social media post that led to his contract termination earlier this year.
The files also outline that Folau admitted that the post could cause harm to young LGBTI+ people. The Instagram post from April, which is still live on Folau’s account, says that hell awaits homosexuals, adulterers, atheists and other folk.
The documents submitted by Rugby Australia highlighted statements made by Folau during an independent tribunal, where Folau admits that the post was not in line with the code of conduct.
Previous reports had claimed Folau had refused to apologise for the image.
“Mr Folau, in his evidence (before the tribunal), conceded that people who are homosexual, or who had a homosexual friend or a child struggling with homosexuality, may have been offended by the 2019 Instagram post and that he understood that at the time of making it,” the documents read.
Folau is currently contesting that his dismissal by Rugby Australia was unlawful, demanding a reinstatement of his $4million contract and an apology from the peak body, arguing that the sacking enforced an unreasonable limit on his ability to play the sport.
Rugby Australia’s defence also outlined previous concerns surrounding Folau, after an Instagram comment from April 2018 that also condemned gay people to hell.
“The post generated significant national and international media coverage,” the documents read.
“Rugby Australia received communications from sponsors and stakeholders expressing concerns … and their desire for swift disciplinary action to be taken against Mr Folau.”
Folau also made headlines this week, announcing a return to rugby playing for Tonga in the Oceania Cup.
The Rugby League International Federation (RLIF), who organise the event, have since announced on social media that Folau’s inclusion in the cup had not been discussed.
“The RLIF has made no decision in relation to any registration request for Israel Folau,” board member Peter Beattie said.
“I can assure you that this has never been discussed or mentioned around the board table.”
OIP Staff
