Anthony Mundine believes the colour of Israel Folau's skin is the underlying reason the exiled Wallabies star is facing the sack from Australian rugby union. A three-person panel on Tuesday found that Folau committed a "high-level" breach of his Rugby Australia contract over a post on Instagram that was deemed by many to be homophobic. The devoutly Christian Folau posted an image that stated "hell awaits" all sinners including "drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists, idolators”. Folau's legal team argued in his code of conduct hearing that he was quoting the Bible in his social media upload and not personally attacking any group of people. ​MORE: All Blacks' Ben Smith set to be sidelined for eight weeks The former Waratahs fullback is awaiting his punishment, which could range from a fine to his rich deal being terminated. The 30-year-old had previously come under fire for anti-gay messages on social media last year. But former NRL player and boxer Mundine claims Folau is a victim of racism who has received unjust treatment. “People are missing the point here, it’s not about the Bible or the Biblical quote that Izzy put up, it’s a black man expressing it,” Mundine told Channel 7 on Wednesday. “If it was about the biblical quote then why don’t they push to ban that? “I commend Izzy for sticking up and facing such racism and being persecuted and not having the right to make a living ... There’ve been guys out there been done for drugs, assaults ... yet he can’t express his mind? “People are missing the whole point, it’s about racism.” Mundine, a devout Muslim, vouched for Folau's character and praised his courage in remaining unapologetically true to his beliefs. “I know Izzy. He’s a very polite, generous, humble brother but he’s sticking by his beliefs,” Mundine said. “That’s something I would say to everyone, which is stick by your beliefs.” Folau broke his silence in kind on Wednesday, passing on a message to radio host Alan Jones who earlier defended the all-time Super Rugby top try-scorer's right to an opinion. “I’ve just had a note from Israel, he won’t mind if I’m sharing it with you because I said to him, ‘Hold your head up’,” Jones said on 2GB. “He said, ‘Alan, I’m at peace, mate. My head is held high’.”<doc-sep>Outspoken former boxing champion Anthony Mundine has declared Israel Folau is a victim of ‘racism’ in the wake of the Rugby Australia decision. Folau was found guilty of a ‘high-level breach’ of his contract with RA on Tuesday evening. The NSW Waratahs star was made to answer for an inflammatory post on Instagram in which he said “Hell awaits... drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists, idolators.” While the homophobic nature of the comments has sourced much of the outrage against Folau, Mundine believes the rugby star’s critics are “missing the point”. In Mundine’s eyes, the who saga has been an issue of race. “People are missing the point here, it's not about the Bible or the Biblical quote that Izzy put up, it's a black man expressing it,” Mundine said in an interview with 7News on Wednesday. “If it was about the biblical quote then why don't they push to ban that? Outspoken boxing champ Anthony Mundine has come to the defence of embattled rugby star Israel Folau. Pictures: Getty Images “I commend Izzy for sticking up and facing such racism and being persecuted and not having the right to make a living. “There've been guys out there been done for drugs, assaults, yet he can't express his mind? "People are missing the whole point, it's about racism." Mundine was also furious that the NRL had already declared it would not welcome Folau back to the league as a result of the scandal. RELATED: 'Never instructed': The message from Rugby Australia that confused Folau 'Cost him $4m': Israel Folau's fatal mistake at code of conduct hearing The boxing champ also believes there are many other players within the code who would be afraid to publicly support Folau. “I know Izzy. He's a very polite, generous, humble brother but he's sticking by his beliefs. “That's something I would say to everyone, which is stick by your beliefs. "For rugby league to turn their back on him, I think it's a joke. “They are showing what side of the fence they sit on."<doc-sep>Vaccination of our kids is essential for creating herd immunity against diseases like measles, whooping cough and meningococcal. Which Vaccines are provided to Australian kids for free on the vaccination schedule, and which are available for parents to purchase at an additional cost? Advice on what to kid if your kids are afraid of needles. Vaccination of our kids is essential for creating herd immunity against diseases like measles, whooping cough and meningococcal. Which Vaccines are provided to Australian kids... Outspoken boxer Anthony Mundine has weighed into the vaccination debate, imploring Australians not to vaccinate their kids. Mundine took to Twitter to share his controversial views, encouraging his followers to go against what he considered an act of bullying by the Australian Government. “Don’t vaccine your kids period! The government bully you into vaccine! Do your research on the s**t & watched the documentary vaxxed,” he tweeted. Don’t vaccine your kids period! The government bully you into vaccine ! Do your research on the shit & watched the documentary vaxxed ... https://t.co/PKX6qSYtm5 — Anthony Mundine (@Anthony_Mundine) April 10, 2019 Mundine then pointed to his Facebook page where he posted a link to a December 2018 video from New York radio show The Breakfast Club where the hosts alleged there was an agenda set by big pharmaceutical companies against African-Americans. “MRR (Measles) vaccine gives black boys autism at a rate 240 per cent greater than their white counterparts,” one of the hosts said. “It’s wiping black boys out, not just with autism — so what the pharmaceutical industry is doing is getting a customer for life.” Mundine’s comments were immediately labelled as “dangerous” by others, especially as they come amid in a worldwide measles outbreak that has sparked warnings about the importance of immunisation. He was also heavily ridiculed for the tweet with many punters suggesting he had taken one punch too many. Perhaps the most compelling was that from former Paralympian Kurt Fearnley who savaged Mundine for his post, calling him out as a “peanut” and questioning his knowledge of vaccination issues. “You can’t make this s**t up. We’ve became so comfortable that some promote fear in our peace and others promote apathy in what should be feared... You got many mates with Polio? I do. A heap. From countries that didn’t have the luxury of vaccinations you peanut....” Fearnley tweeted. You can’t make this shit up. We’ve became so comfortable that some promote fear in our peace and others promote apathy in what should be feared... You got many mates with Polio? I do. A heap. From countries that didn’t have the luxury of vaccinations you peanut.... https://t.co/yejUujRfoT — Kurt Fearnley (@kurtfearnley) April 10, 2019 this is a very stupid tweet. Pull your head in. — Greg Jericho (@GrogsGamut) April 10, 2019 You’re a clown — dan nolan (@dannolan) April 10, 2019 However, Mundine hit back after copping a largely negative reaction, defending his right to hold an opinion. A lot of talk bout this vaccine stuff ! All I’m saying is research & check what they giving you or ya baby ! When they start mixing it like a cocktail that’s where it’s going wrong ! That’s my opinion & other people have the right to there’s ! — Anthony Mundine (@Anthony_Mundine) April 10, 2019 Mundine’s comments come on a day where a university student who travelled around a host of places in Sydney became the 35th person to be diagnosed with measles since Christmas. New South Wales Health is now warning students, train passengers and shoppers in Sydney and Maitland to watch out for symptoms of the highly contagious disease. NSW Health’s communicable diseases director Vicky Sheppeard said people should be alert for symptoms up to at least April 23 and stressed the importance of being vaccinated. “We cannot stress enough the need for holiday-makers to be vaccinated before travelling to South-East Asia because the majority of cases we are seeing are being brought home,” Dr Sheppeard said. “NSW already has record immunisation rates but the community is not fully covered and measles is highly contagious and can stay in the air for up to 30 minutes after an infected person has left a room. “If you’re not sure if you have had two doses of measles vaccine which provides lifelong protection in 99 out of 100 people, it is safe to get another jab, particularly if you’re heading overseas.” The World Health Organisation has blamed the rise of the anti-vaxxer movement for the alarming resurgence of measles outbreaks around the world, prompting an urgent warning for the need for immediate action. Mundine, a former rugby league star before his boxing career took off is not the only person to have caused controversy as an anti-vaxxer, with the wife of Gold Coast Titans star Bryce Cartwright revealing they did not vaccinate their kids. Mundine currently has no upcoming fights on the agenda but was floored in 90 seconds, when last in the ring by Jeff Horn, in November.<doc-sep>
Outspoken and controversial former NRL player and boxer Anthony Mundine claims Israel Folau is being punished because he is a black man expressing a view. Wallabies and Waratahs player Folau is awaiting sanctioning after being found guilty of a "high level" breach of his Rugby Australia contract and could have his four-year, $4 million deal terminated for his controversial social media posts. The 30-year-old Christian was found guilty by a three-person panel on Monday, for homophobic social media posts. One stated: “Hell awaits... drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists, idolators”. Some commentators have expressed concern that the case sets a precedent against religious freedoms in Australia. 'Case about race' But Mundine believes people have missed the point, saying this case is about race. "People are missing the point here, it's not about the Bible or the Biblical quote that Izzy put up, it's a black man expressing it," Mundine told 7NEWS on Wednesday. Chevron Right Icon 'People are missing the point here, it's not about the Bible ... it's (about) a black man expressing it.' "If it was about the biblical quote then why don't they push to ban that," said Mundine. RELATED: Israel Folau breaks silence on verdict: 'My head is held high' Mundine believes there have been many other footballers in all codes who have committed actual crimes and yet received lesser penalties for their bad behaviour. "I commend Izzy for sticking up and facing such racism and being persecuted and not having the right to make a living ... there've been guys out there been done for drugs, assaults ... yet he (Folau) can't express his mind?" 'It's about racism' "People are missing the whole point, it's about racism." Mundine also took a shot at the NRL, after it shut the door on the possibility of Folau switching football codes again. "I know Izzy. He's a very polite, generous, humble brother but he's sticking by his beliefs. Chevron Right Icon 'I know Izzy. He's a very polite, generous, humble brother.' "That's something I would say to everyone, which is stick by your beliefs. "For rugby league to turn their back on him, I think it's a joke. They are showing what side of the fence they sit on." Mundine said he truly believed there would be many football players too scared to come out in support of Folau.