When Israel Folau finally picks up his phone, he will be told that his contract has been terminated due to the content of his social media post on Wednesday.
Folau has been a controversial figure for some time due to his stance on certain issues but his Instagram post this week in which the Australian full-back warned drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolaters that they were destined to go to hell unless they repented was the final straw for Rugby Australia.
The incendiary post was captioned by the Waratahs star with the message: “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.”
Rugby Australia initially released a short statement condemning Folau’s message as “unacceptable” but having taken 24 hours to consider the best course of action, the governing body has decided to terminate the 30-year-old’s contract.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BwEWt2uHcLI/
At the time of writing, the post remains on Folau’s Instagram page and while Rugby Australia have been unable to get in touch with him, they hope to make him aware of their decision as soon as possible.
The latest statement reads: “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 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.”
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