Former Wallaby and prominent journalist Peter FitzSimons has taken aim at Alan Jones over the radio host’s defence of Israel Folau. Jones – an ex-Wallabies coach – has been one of the controversial rugby star’s loudest and staunchest supporters throughout the ugly dispute with Rugby Australia (RA). Folau’s future in Australian rugby is looking increasingly grim after an independent panel determined that the Wallabies superstar committed a “high level” breach of his contract. The three-person panel of chair John West QC, Rugby Australia representative Kate Eastman SC and the RUPA-appointed John Boultbee have now retired to decide on Folau’s sanction following an epic code of conduct hearing in Sydney. ‘UTTER BULLS***’: The major ‘flaw’ in the Israel Folau debate Jones described the Folau ruling as the most shameful day in the history of Australian rugby. RA boss Raelene Castle issued Folau with a breach notice last month following his controversial social media posts about homosexuals and other sinners and threatened to tear up his four-year, $4 million contract. Israel Folau. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images) The 30-year-old devout Christian took to Instagram to proclaim “hell awaits” for “drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists, idolators”. Folau has received plenty of support for his controversial social media posts, with One Nation MP Mark Latham presenting a speech to NSW parliament defending Folau and questioning what right RA has to censor the star. Jones used his 2GB breakfast program on radio to show Folau his support – quoting extracts from the speech on Wednesday morning “Those claiming outrage have fabricated their position solely for the purpose of censorship,” the speech read, according to Jones. “This is not an argument about diversity. Alan Jones has slammed the Israel Folau ruling. Image: Getty/SkyNews “By excluding a committed Christian, they are making their game less inclusive. “I believe no Australians should live in fear of the words they utter. “No Australian should be fearful of proclaiming four of the most glorious words of our civilisation: I am a Christian. Story continues “Nor should anyone be sacked by their employer for statements of genuine belief and faith that have got nothing to do with their job. FitzSimons used his column in The Sydney Morning Herald to fire back at suggestions Folau should be entitled to speak his mind without being punished for his controversial religious beliefs. “This is Western civilisation evolving, and saying that while publicly marginalising a group used to be acceptable, and even a part of the law of the land, it is no longer acceptable,” FitzSimons wrote. Jones’ stance on Folau has been slammed by FitzSimons in his newspaper column. Pic: Getty “How many of you, reading this, are free in your own workplaces to put up social media posts like Folau and still be employed? Across our brown and pleasant land, millions of employees get it, comport themselves accordingly, and we’re a stronger and more inclusive country because of it.” FitzSimons went on to argue that the suggestion Folau was being unfairly made an example of because he is a Christian is “utter bollocks”. “Within rugby ranks, Wallaby flanker David Pocock, who led the charge against homophobia in the code, is a devout Christian,” FitzSimons pointed out. “Willie Ofahengaue, the first Tongan to play for the Wallabies, is a devout Christian, and both of our Wallaby World Cup-winning captains in Nick Farr-Jones and John Eales answer the same description.” ‘He’s got strange ideas in his head’ Another former Wallaby has weighed in on the controversy. Clyde Rathbone, who represented both the Wallabies and ACT Brumbies, took aim at Folau and his most staunch defender, radio personality Alan Jones in a piece for PlayersVoice. The former wing said he was a “free speech absolutist”, but said there was a difference between limiting Folau’s religious freedom and violating the terms of his Rugby Australia contract. “For me, Israel is free to say whatever he chooses, but he is not free to force Rugby Australia to continue employing him if he has breached his contract by promoting views which undermine the organisation’s values,” Rathbone write. “Radio presenter Alan Jones, in particular, seems to be doing his best to position Israel as a victim, calling the Rugby Australia ruling ‘Orwellian’. “This is nonsense. I’d like to ask Alan if he believes his employer, commercial radio station, 2GB, is obligated to continue employing him regardless of his speech? “Alan Jones could quote from the Bible to lend his support to slavery, torture and murder. Can he continue to do so and keep his job? I think he cannot. “And yet this is analogous to the Folau situation in every way.” With agencies<doc-sep>In March of 2014 the Los Angeles Dodgers played the Arizona Diamondbacks in a Major League Baseball match at the Sydney Cricket Ground. To promote the event, the SCG Trust asked regular tenants of their greater sports precinct – Sydney Swans, NSW Waratahs, Sydney FC, Sydney Roosters – to provide a high-profile player for a photograph with Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw and Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt. It would be dubbed “the best of the best”. The Swans sent their champion Adam Goodes. The Roosters put up dual international Sonny Bill Williams. Sydney FC trotted out their famous Italian superstar, Alessandro del Piero. And the Waratahs … were not represented. The Trust had asked for Israel Folau. But he had something else on. Desperate, the Tahs put forth captain Dave Dennis. They offered photogenic Wallaby Adam Ashley-Cooper, hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau, a young gun called Michael Hooper. But the SCG Trust demanded to have Folau. It was him or no one. And they ended up with no one – and ran with that. And rugby copped a major league kick in the bottom. According to his management, Folau had a previous engagement with a sponsor. At the time Folau was an “ambassador” for several brands, notably Trust rival ANZ Stadium. If there was a significant game at ANZ Stadium they’d give Folau a call and he’d drive across Sydney to pose for photos with corporates. He was a sponsor’s dream, so intensely loyal he would risk the wrath of the Trust. According to those who know him, Folau was – and remains – very aware of the value of his “brand” and his image. He knows what he’s worth. He knows how important branding is. Along with ANZ Stadium – Folau’s contract ran out in August of 2018 given there was no Bledisloe Cup match nor Waratahs games to promote – Folau has been an “ambassador” for, among others, Asics, Foxtel, BMW, the Global Rugby Tens tournament, the Australian Football League (AFL), and ironically, The Bingham Cup, the “world cup” of gay rugby. Today, however, following a “high level breach” of the professional rugby players’ code of conduct for a much-publicised declaration that homosexuals, atheists and a cabal of “sinners” are bound for hell unless they “repent”, corporate sponsors are hopping off the Wallabies star. Rugby Australia know that sponsors align themselves with brands because positivity rubs off. They also know the reverse is true And it’s all Rugby Australia can do to hang onto them. Land Rover has taken away Folau’s car. Asics has declared their partnership “untenable”. Network 10 said it “fully supports” RA’s position. Qantas said that Folau’s comments were “really disappointing”, then sat back to see what RA would do. Rugby Australia responded swiftly, declaring that unless there were “compelling mitigating factors” they intended to cancel Folau’s contract. And if Folau knows about branding, RA is expert. They know that sponsors align themselves with brands because positivity rubs off. They also know the reverse is true. “The core benefit of a sponsorship, an ambassador arrangement or even an influencer partnership is association, and just as a brand is connected to the on-field wins and the highs, they can be adversely impacted when there is controversy or poor behaviour,” managing director of Mediahub Andrew Livingston told AdNews. “When this happens there is a risk that a brand’s association with an individual becomes too intertwined and they can be tarnished by the same brush from the general public. In this case, it is incredibly important for a brand to take a strong position against the individual, especially when the comments from Israel Folau are so harmful and disrespectful.” Foxtel chief marketing officer Andy Lark told the Australian Financial Review that brands like Qantas want to associate themselves with high-integrity brands. “Australian rugby is now in the same situation with a player,” said Lark. “If you don’t subscribe to our brand values you don’t get to put on this jersey. That’s not just true for a rugby player, that’s true for any senior executive, or any employee.” After Folau’s first Instagram post, Qantas threatened to withdraw sponsorship. After the second one Qantas declared it was pleased with RA’s swift condemnation of Folau’s comments and would await the outcome of their review. On Thursday, Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce told the AFR: “We don’t sponsor something to get involved in controversy. That’s not part of the deal. We expect our partners to take the appropriate action. It’s their issue, they have to deal with it.” Reading into that, can Folau still run around in green-and-gold livery adorned by Qantas’s brand? Can Qantas – and Land Rover, Asics and all the rest of the corporates who’ve been so strong in praising RA’s condemnation of Folau’s comments – possibly sign on again if the man’s representing their brand? Folau will learn of his sentence after a panel of John West QC, Kate Eastman SC and John Boultee hear further submissions from RA and Folau. If his contract is terminated there is avenue for appeal. If he is allowed to play, Rugby Australia will be between a rock and a hard – and potentially lonely and poor – place.<doc-sep>(CNN) Australian rugby star Israel Folau has been dropped by sportswear brand Asics after he wrote a post on Instagram last month saying "hell awaits" gay people. The 30-year-old's Australia contract was terminated in April, but Folau requested the hearing and a three-person panel is expected to make its decision in the coming weeks. Asics, however, has distanced itself from Folau because of the post, which listed "drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolaters," reading underneath, "Hell awaits you." Read More<doc-sep>Sportswear brand Asics dumped Israel Folau as a brand ambassador on Wednesday (8 May). The 30-year-old was found guilty of breaching his contract with Rugby Australia this week after multiple homophobic social media posts. On April 10, Folau, who is a devout Christain, shared an image which said ‘hell awaits homosexuals’. He also said people need to ‘repent’ for a new Tasmanian law allowing parents to opt out of putting their child’s gender on birth certificates. The Waratahs full-back then had his four-year contract terminated but requested a hearing. This week, Asics said ‘our partnership with Israel has become untenable and he will no longer represent Asics as a brand ambassador’. ‘We champion inclusivity and diversity,’ a statement said. ‘While Israel Folau is entitled to his personal views, some of those expressed in recent social media posts are not aligned with those of Asics’. Asics is now the second sponsor to cut ties with Folau. Land Rover withdrew a car given to him over the homophobic posts. Earlier this week, director of Rugby Union Australia Scott Johnson, said he supported Rugby Australia’s stance. ‘What I stand for is we want a game that includes everyone’ he said. ‘I’ll stand on what the Bible says’ Rugby Australia and Rugby New South terminated Folau’s multi-million dollar contract after the 10 April posts. ‘At its core, this is an issue of the responsibilities an employee owes to their employer and the commitments they make to their employer to abide by their employer’s policies and procedures and adhere to their employer’s values,’ said Rugby Australia chief executive, Raelene Castle on 15 April. But, Folau stood by his social media posts. ‘I’ll stand on what the Bible says. I share it with love. I can see the other side of the coin where people’s reactions are the total opposite to how I’m sharing it,’ he said. ‘That’s the message that I’m trying to share, even though it comes across as harsh. I can’t change what the word of God says.’ See also Gay rugby player slams Israel Folau: ‘Gay kids are killing themselves’ Rugby star apologizes for ‘liking’ Israel Folau’s homophobic Instagram post New rugby chief says Israel Folau should be sacked for homophobic posts<doc-sep>
SYDNEY, Australia (LifeSiteNews) — Israel Folau, an evangelical Christian and rugby football star, was found guilty of breaching the Rugby Australia code of conduct for quoting St. Paul’s biblical teachings against fornication and homosexuality. A three-person independent tribunal wrapped up on Tuesday three days of deliberations and found Folau guilty of a high-level breach of the code of conduct enforced by the governing body of Australian rugby teams. So far, no sanction has been announced against Folau. However, he may face cancellation of his $4 million contract and forgo a chance to appear in the forthcoming rugby world championship. “The panel has today provided a judgment that Israel Folau committed a high-level breach of the Professional Players’ Code of Conduct with his social media posts on April 10, 2019,” read a statement from the panel that decided his case. “The panel will now take further written submissions from the parties to consider the matter of sanction. A further update with be provided after the panel delivers its decision on sanction.” Once a decision has been made on a sanction, both Folau and Rugby Australia will have 72 hours to offer an appeal. While Folau may face a fine and suspension instead of a contract termination, he will never play again for the Wallabies team. Any infraction deemed less than “high level” would not have allowed Rugby Australia to terminate Folau’s contract with the Wallabies team legally, forcing the governing body to offer an expensive monetary settlement to him. A sanction is expected within several days, even while Rugby Australia has not yet set a timeline for a decision. Folau has already rejected a $1 million settlement, and will not receive any payout now because of the finding of guilt on his part. Folau fell afoul of Rugby Australia after he published several controversial social media posts in which he expressed his religious beliefs concerning immorality, quoting the Bible. Raelene Castle, who heads Rugby Australia, issued Folau a notice that he had committed a high-level breach of the body’s code of conduct. The decision in Folau’s case was met with support from some members of the media and sports. For example, media celebrity Ed Kavalee said on Fox Sports’ The Back Page, “This is the most expensive social media post of all time.” He added, “It’s cost Israel $4 million.” Journalist Robert Craddock of the Courier-Mail said on The Back Page, “We’ve seen one of the most significant moments of the sporting century in Australia, in that a powerhouse rugby union player who is Australia’s best player heading into a World Cup, will be banished from the game, probably for good.” Craddock predicted further controversy. Cory Bernardi, who leads Australian conservatives, expressed astonishment over Folau’s verdict. He told Sky News in a reference to Folau’s quoting of the Bible, “I find it extraordinary that quoting from the bestselling book in the history of the world is a breach of contract.” He added, “There was no hate in that at all. He’s just upset a bloke who runs an airline like a kingdom.” Bernardi was apparently referring to Alan Joyce, the openly homosexual CEO of Qantas airlines and chief sponsor of the Wallabies. Joyce told a newspaper in the run-up to the 2017 same-sex marriage campaign, “We have 580 companies involved ... If you’re unhappy with a company that’s involved with the campaign, you won’t be able to bank and you won’t be able to fly anywhere.” Because free speech is guaranteed in Australia, Folau’s case may go to Australia’s High Court for consideration. After Rugby Australia’s initial announcement that it would cancel Folau’s contract, LifeSiteNews issued a petition asking for his reinstatement. While Folau may never be able to play professional rugby in Australia again, a career in Europe is also in question. The president of the Toulon rugby club, Mourad Boudjellal, told French sports journal L’Equipe: “This guy’s a moron; he ought to clear out. Or he needs to buy himself a brain. He still has the Ku Klux Klan; then he’ll see what it’s like on the other side.” Also, sports shoe manufacturer Asics has announced that it is cancelling a lucrative contract with Folau. An evangelical Christian, Folau has run afoul of gay rights campaigners in the past because of his support for traditional marriage.