NRL 2022: Maria Folau slams double standards for Manly seven’s pride jersey boycott, Israel Folau

The wife of former NRL star Israel Folau has lashed out at the NRL after it defended the Manly Seven.

The wife of rugby star Israel Folau has lashed out at ARLC chairman Peter V’landys labelling his comments surrounding Manly players’ decision to stand down as “hypocritical”.

Former Kiwi netballer Maria Folau has taken to social media to launch a stunning attack on V’landys on Thursday afternoon.

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Israel Folau’s wife Maria has slammed the NRL. Picture: Aaron Francis/The Australian.

Israel Folau was sacked by Rugby Australia in 2019 because of a stack of homophobic social media posts has also had his desire to return to the NRL hit roadblocks.

V’landys has never said Folau was black-listed from the code but has reserved judgment on the former Broncos and Storm player until a club tried to register a contract.

Maria Folau has slammed the NRL and Peter V'landys, accusing them of hypocrisy. Picture: Instagram, mariatutaia.

The Dragons flirted with the idea of signing Folau last season but that was quickly knocked on the head after the club received a backlash from fans and sponsors.

Maria Folau took exception to comments V’landys made about the players being “human beings” and you “have tor respect the players religious and cultural beliefs.”

He made those comments after seven Manly players stood down from Thursday’s clash against the Roosters because of the club’s decision to wear a pride jersey.

“We’re all human beings at the end of the day ...Umm so what’s Izzy??....A donkey,” Folau posed on her Instagram account.

“The hypocrisy from this man and this organisation @nrl #PeterVlandys What a joke!!!”

Folau has returned to international rugby recently representing Tonga.

He had a stint back in rugby league playing for Catalans in the Super League in 2020 before playing in Japan’s top flight rugby competition.

Originally published as NRL 2022: Maria Folau slams double standards for Manly seven’s pride jersey boycott, Israel Folau