While we live in a place where rapists are let alone without punishment and are allowed to play one of the biggest sport in the world, Rugby Australia has taken a huge step to sack Israel Folau, leaving the Wallabies facing the prospect of heading to the World Cup in Japan without one of their best players.
Folau’s playing career in Australia was placed in jeopardy following an Instagram post on Wednesday in which he said: hell awaits “drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolaters”.
This is not the first time Folau has posted something like this on Social Media. Last year there were a series of posts including one which said: “God’s plan for gay people was hell”.
Then, RA issued a warning but no further action was taken after Folau threatened to walk away from the game if he felt his fundamentalist Christian beliefs were being compromised.
While the board tried to meet or contact Folau, he wasn’t reachable following that, the board released 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 on Wednesday, and at this point he has failed to communicate directly with either organisation,” the statement read.
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.”
Israel Folau finally opened up to the Sydney Herald saying that, “It’s obviously a decision that’s in the process right now but I believe in a God that’s in control of all things”
“Whatever His will is, whether that’s to continue playing or not, I’m more than happy to do what He wants me to do.”
“First and foremost, I live for God now. Whatever He wants me to do, I believe His plans for me are better than whatever I can think. If that’s not to continue on playing, so be it.
“In saying that, obviously I love playing footy and if it goes down that path I’ll definitely miss it. But my faith in Jesus Christ is what comes first.”
“Obviously it’s a tough time but for me I find comfort in obviously what the Bible says.”
