“All professional rugby players in Australia are bound by the code of conduct and there is a process in place for any disciplinary matter.”
Israel Folau’s contract has officially come to an end following his homophobic remarks.
The 30-year-old pro sportsman, who was the highest paid rugby player in Australia, caused outrage last year when he claimed that God’s plan for gay people was “hell” in a deleted Instagram comment.
And in a graphic shared on Instagram last Wednesday (10 April), Israel warned his followers that “drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists, idolaters” will “end up in hell” and that “only Jesus” can save them.
“Those that 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,” he wrote alongside the post.
He also shared offensive remarks on Twitter, claiming that “the devil has blinded so many people in this world” in response to an article about Tasmania allowing people 16 years and older to legally change their gender without parental consent.
Last week, Rugby Australia and New South Wales Rugby Union issued a statement in response to Israel’s anti-LGBTQ comments, confirming that unless there are “compelling mitigating factors” the rugby pro would be fired.
However, it was announced earlier today that they have decided to terminate his contract for a “high-level breach of the Professional Players’ Code of Conduct”. He has 48 hours to accept his termination or he will face a code of conduct hearing.
“Israel was warned formally and repeatedly about the expectations of him as [a] player for the Wallabies and NSW Waratahs with regards to social media use and he has failed to meet those obligations,” said chief executive Raelene Castle.
“It was made clear to him that any social media posts or commentary that is in any way disrespectful to people because of their sexuality will result in disciplinary action. All professional rugby players in Australia are bound by the code of conduct and there is a process in place for any disciplinary matter.”
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