Israel Folau’s latest anti-gay comments ‘unacceptable’

By Radio New Zealand

Fullback Israel Folau’s latest anti-gay comments on social media are “unacceptable” and its integrity unit will look into the matter, Rugby Australia (RA) says.

Wallabies international Folau, one of Australia’s top players and most marketable athletes, wrote on Instagram that gays would be condemned to “hell” if they failed to “repent”.

New South Wales Waratahs player Folau, an evangelical Christian, made similar comments last April.

“Rugby Australia is aware of a post made by Israel Folau on his Instagram account this afternoon,” Australian rugby’s governing body said in a statement on Wednesday.

“The content within the post is unacceptable. It does not represent the values of the sport and is disrespectful to members of the rugby community.

“The Rugby Australia Integrity Unit has been engaged on the matter tonight.”

Folau, 30, also condemned in Twitter post a landmark decision on Wednesday by the Australian state of Tasmania to make it legally optional to list gender on birth certificates.

In February, Folau extended his Wallabies deal until 2022 ahead of this year’s World Cup, although contract negotiations were complicated by his conservative religious views.

Folau faced no sanctions in April last year for anti-gay comments after RA said it accepted his position that he did not mean to harm the game.

Folau had offered to walk away from the sport if RA found itself in an untenable position with sponsors and fans.

This article is republished under Kaniva’s content partnership with Radio New Zealand.

About The Author

Sometimes when a business is growing, it needs a little help.

Right now Kaniva News provides a free, politically independent, bilingual news service for readers around the world that is absolutely unique. We are the largest New Zealand-based Tongan news service, and our stories reach Tongans  wherever they are round the world. But as we grow, there are increased demands on Kaniva News for translation into Tongan on our social media accounts and for the costs associated with expansion. We believe it is important for Tongans to have their own voice and for Tongans to preserve their language, customs and heritage. That is something to which we are strongly committed. That’s why we are asking you to consider sponsoring our work and helping to preserve a uniquely Tongan point of view for our readers and listeners.

spot_imgspot_imgspot_imgspot_img

Latest news

Related news