Disgraced Rugby Union player Israel Folau is seeking “substantial remedies” from Rugby Australia after he was sacked by RA and the NSW Waratahs following a homophobic post shared to his Instagram. Folau has launched legal proceedings with the Fair Work Commission, claiming that his firing was a breach of contract.
Folau’s lawyers have claimed that under Section 772 of the Fair Work Act, it is unlawful to terminate his contract on the basis of religion. The lawyers allege that Folau was sacked after he refused to comply with Rugby Australia’s demands that he renounce his religious posts shared to social media. Lawyers are set to argue that the post was written in a “loving gesture” and fullback was “compelled to communicate the word of God and the message contained within the Bible.”
Folau is claiming $5 million in lost salary, plus damages and civil penalties. ABC has reported that a source close to Folau claims that he is seeking up to $10 million.
RA and NSW Rugby have released a statement confirming that they would stick to their guns in the midst of the legal battle. Claiming that they are committed to upholding the values of “inclusion, passion, integrity, discipline, respect and teamwork”.
“We will defend those values and the right for all people to feel safe and welcome in our game regardless of their gender, race, background, religion or sexuality,” the statement read.
“We are grateful for the support from so many people from within our rugby community, including the volunteers who are the guardians of the game’s values, from other sports and from the wider community here and around the world, who have supported our stance.
“We will remain focused on getting on with the job of building our game, supporting our teams, encouraging more people to play rugby and upholding the values that generations of Wallabies and Waratahs have represented with pride.”
Israel, if all else fails, we hear Westboro are always up for welcoming new members.
In related news, Indigenous football players called for a boycott of the national anthem ahead of the State of Origin.
