The Australian rugby star Israel Folau‘s contract is be to torn up amid his latest musings that suggest gay people would “end up in hell”.
Rugby Australia have been unable to make contact with the player since Wednesday last.
Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika, the popular former Leinster coach, is now set to lose his best player only six months out from the Rugby World Cup in Japan.
The gifted athlete signed a four-year ARU contract last year following intense talks after comment he made on Instagram that god’s plan for gay people was ……
‘HELL… unless they repent of their sins and turn to God.’
Australia rugby chiefs decided to be lenient at the time and did not issue a punishment to Folau.
The star full-back and former rugby league try scoring machine had even offered to walk away from the sport if his views proved too decisive.
Leading sponsors, including the state airline Qantas, threatening to end their relationship with Rugby Australia.
Folau’s recent contract extension reportedly included clauses regarding his use of social media, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
Chief executive, Raelene Castle, and NSW Rugby Union CEO, Andrew Hore said in a statement.
“Rugby Australia and the New South Wales Rugby Union have made repeated attempts to contact Israel both directly and via his representatives since 6.30pm (Australian time) on Wednesday, and at this point he has failed to communicate directly with either organisation,”
“Whilst Israel is entitled to his religious beliefs, the way in which he has expressed these beliefs is inconsistent with the values of the sport. We want to make it clear that he does not speak for the game with his recent social media posts.
“Israel has failed to understand that the expectation of him as a Rugby Australia and NSW Waratahs employee is that he cannot share material on social media that condemns, vilifies or discriminates against people on the basis of their sexuality.
“Rugby is a sport that continuously works to unite people. We want everyone to feel safe and welcome in our game and no vilification based on race, gender, religion or sexuality is acceptable and no language that isolates, divides or insults people based on any of those factors can be tolerated.
“As a code we have made it clear to Israel formally and repeatedly that any social media posts or commentary that is in any way disrespectful to people because of their sexuality will result in disciplinary action.
“In the absence of compelling mitigating factors, it is our intention to terminate his contract.”
Israel Folau’s latest offering on Instagram, repeating the sentiments he expressed last year which saw sponsors threaten to walk away from Rugby Australia pic.twitter.com/O1gfIxehrw
— Jamie Pandaram (@JamiePandaram) April 10, 2019
