This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

The Wallabies’ major sponsor has condemned Israel Folau’s latest social media outburst and is awaiting Rugby Australia’s review into the controversy. RA’s integrity unit is investigating after Folau took to Instagram to proclaim hell awaits “drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolaters”.

The three-times John Eales medallist and the Wallabies’ player of the year faces sanctioning – and possibly even having his multi-million-dollar four-year contract torn up – after the governing body condemned his posts as “unacceptable”.

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“It does not represent the values of the sport and is disrespectful to members of the rugby community,” RA said of Folau’s abrasive stance.

Qantas, who threatened to pull their sponsorship with the Wallabies last year following a series of similarly provocative posts from Folau, echoed the disappointment of RA and NSW Rugby.

“These comments are really disappointing and clearly don’t reflect the spirit of inclusion and diversity that we support,” a Qantas statement said. “We are pleased to see Rugby Australia’s condemnation of the comments and will await the outcome of their review.”

Folau had already tested the patience of RA boss Raelene Castle with a series of homophobic posts last year, most notably one that said “God’s plan for gay people was “hell”.

The three-times John Eales medallist was warned but not sanctioned by Castle after defiantly threatening to walk away from the game if his strong Christian beliefs were compromised.

Folau – who turned 30 last week before becoming Super Rugby’s all-time leading try scorer on Saturday after bagging his 60th five-pointer for the NSW Waratahs – had since been largely quiet on social media until Wednesday.

Folau posted a meme that read: “Warning drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists, idolaters, Hell awaits you. Repent! Only Jesus saves” before adding a Bible verse from Galatians.

He went on to add: “Those who 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”. Folau also took to Twitter to push another issue.

It is barely two months ago that Folau signed a new multimillion-dollar contract extension to remain with the NSW Waratahs until the end of 2022.

It is not known if the deal with the Waratahs and Rugby Australia, which strongly promotes inclusion, has a clause restricting Folau from making provocative social media posts.

UK-based LGBT charity Stonewall criticised Folau and called on Rugby Australia to act.

“Folau’s comments are just one example of how much work is still left to do to combat discrimination and the use of hateful language against lesbian, gay, bi and trans people,” Kirsty Clarke, director of sport at Stonewall told PA Sport.

“It’s important that Rugby Australia have stepped up to challenge Folau’s abusive comments. The more players, fans, clubs and organisations that stand up for equality, the sooner we kick discrimination out and make sport everyone’s game.”

Former Wales international Gareth Thomas, who came out as gay in 2009, also responded to Folau’s comments on Twitter. “I don’t write this with hate or anger after Israel Folau’s comments. I write with sympathy,” the 44-year-old wrote.

“To everyone who reads it, don’t be influenced by his words. Be the better person and be you. Whoever you is..Hell doesn’t await you. Happiness awaits you.”

The latest episode in the saga is the last thing Wallabies coach Michael Cheika needs from his premier back in a World Cup year.

Champion flanker David Pocock is already under a huge World Cup fitness cloud having played minimal Super Rugby this year as he battles a career-threatening neck injury.

On top of that, having RA tear up Folau’s contract five months out from the global showpiece and leaving the Wallabies with the grim prospect of being without their two best players in Japan would leave Cheika’s plans in tatters.

But that’s now a real possibility after the Wallabies’ biggest sponsors, Qantas and Asics, threatened to walk away last year before Folau was first hauled over the coals.