Apr 17th, 2018

Apr 17th, 2018

Rugby Australia will not sanction Wallabies star Israel Folau after he revealed that he could walk away from the code over the fallout from his controversial comments on homosexuality.

RA chief executive Raelene Castle issued a statement in response to an article by Folau on playersvoice.com.au in which reiterated his religious beliefs and stood by his comments.

“In his article, Israel clearly articulated his religious beliefs and why his faith is important to him and has provided context behind his social media comment.



“In his own words, Israel said that he did not intend to upset people intentionally or bring hurt to the game. We accept Israel’s position.

Folau caused a furore recently when he responded to a question from a fan on Instagram that God’s plan for gay people was ‘hell.’

The comment divided fans, sparked a backlash from RA’s sponsors including Qantas and sparked a meeting between Folau and Castle to discuss the best way forward.

Folau said in his column for playersvoice.com.au that in a meeting last week with RA chief executive Raelene Castle and Waratahs CEO Andrew Hore, he gave his bosses the option to sack him.

(AAP)

Rugby Australia Raelene Castle met with Wallabies star Israel Folau over his controversial comments. (AAP)

"I told Raelene if she felt the situation had become untenable - that I was hurting Rugby Australia, its sponsors and the Australian rugby community to such a degree that things couldn't be worked through - I would walk away from my contract, immediately," Folau wrote.

Folau, who is off contract at the end of this season, rubbished claims that the inflammatory social media comments was designed to ensure he got a release from RA so he could move back to rugby league.

"This is not about money or bargaining power or contracts. It's about what I believe in and never compromising that, because my faith is far more important to me than my career and always will be," he said.

But before Castle attempts to negotiate a new deal for Australia's most potent attacker before next year's World Cup in Japan, she will need to resolve the friction Folau still feels remains over the social media saga.

Folau could walk away from rugby

"I felt Raelene misrepresented my position and my comments, and did so to appease other people, which is an issue I need to discuss with her and others at Rugby Australia," wrote Folau.

Following last Tuesday's meeting, Castle conceded that it was a difficult issue "trying to combine religious beliefs, freedom of speech, inclusion, respect and the use of social media".