Alan Jones condemns Rugby Australia over Israel Folau sacking… here’s why
Rugby Australia will rip up Israel Folau’s contract after he posted another homophobic rant on social media.
The Wallabies and Waratahs player posted an image on Instagram on Wednesday night saying homosexuals must repent or they will go to hell.
View this post on Instagram
It comes almost a year to the day after Folau was reprimanded by Rugby Australia CEO Raelene Castle for a similar post.
The game’s governing body has been unable to contact the 30-year-old since and has indicated it will terminate his multi-million dollar contract (full statement below).
Alan Jones has condemned Rugby Australia, saying the decision has “completely corrupted” free speech in this country.
“We’ve got an issue here because we’re going down a very, very narrow road here.
“This has gone on and on and on this crap. Out there, people now are terrified of saying anything, they don’t know what they can say.
“It’s got nothing to do with Israel, or Rugby, or religion, or homosexuals. Where are we in this country on free speech?”
Click PLAY below to hear Alan’s comments in full
But, Alan’s sports reporter James Willis has disagreed, with the two debating the point on-air.
The Macquarie Sports Radio host tells Alan Rugby Australia has every right to terminate the contract.
“By signing up and accepting the $4 million that Israel Folau did, part of the contract was not putting anything on social media that may potentially offend.
“12 months ago he was hauled in and told, ‘please do not do that again’, and he agreed to. He resigned and then 12 months later has done so again.
“Rugby Australia, I think, has shown a bit of leadership here for a change and decided that, under their own codes, this is not acceptable behaviour.”
Click PLAY below to hear the full interview
Full Rugby Australia statement
“Rugby Australia and the New South Wales Rugby Union have made repeated attempts to contact Israel both directly and via his representatives since 6.30pm on Wednesday, and at this point he has failed to communicate directly with either organisation.
“Whilst Israel is entitled to his religious beliefs, the way in which he has expressed these beliefs is inconsistent with the values of the sport. We want to make it clear that he does not speak for the game with his recent social media posts.
“Israel has failed to understand that the expectation of him as a Rugby Australia and NSW Waratahs employee is that he cannot share material on social media that condemns, vilifies or discriminates against people on the basis of their sexuality.
“Rugby is a sport that continuously works to unite people. We want everyone to feel safe and welcome in our game and no vilification based on race, gender, religion or sexuality is acceptable and no language that isolates, divides or insults people based on any of those factors can be tolerated.
“As a code we have made it clear to Israel formally and repeatedly that any social media posts or commentary that is in any way disrespectful to people because of their sexuality will result in disciplinary action. “In the absence of compelling mitigating factors, it is our intention to terminate his contract.”
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