Robert Craddock: Israel Folau’s bid to play again a major headache for Queensland Rugby League

Whatever the decision on Israel Folau’s playing future, the Queensland Rugby League finds itself in a predicament if cannot win. A hostile reaction is assured no matter what the outcome.

Israel Folau’s future has become a nightmare for the Queensland Rugby League and one of the most difficult issues they have ever dealt with.

Folau’s bid to return to rugby league via the Southport Tigers with the hefty financial backing of club patron Clive Palmer has become a massive headache for the game.

While legally Folau has a strong case to play, the matter has quickly become much more complex than a simple rule book interpretation.

The QRL has found itself wedged between two crusading forces.

On one side there is cashed up Palmer claiming Folau has a right to pursue his trade and threatening legal action if he doesn’t.

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Israel Folau and mining magnate Clive Palmer reveal the controversial footy star has signed with amateur club Southport Tigers. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

On the other there are a significant number of fans and qualified voices who say Folau’s anti-gay social media posts make him unfit to represent a sport which prides itself on inclusion.

As the QRL mulls over a decision the road so far has featured …

A BAD START

QRL officials felt the issue could have been handled better if Folau had simply contacted them himself and requested a meeting to talk his intention to return to league.

Instead the first the QRL knew of the plan was when they received what has been described as a pointed letter from Clive Palmer firmly stating the reasons why Folau should be permitted to play and hinting at legal action if there are any roadblocks.

The letter did not go down well at QRL headquarters.

Palmer is backing Folau’s move to Southport, but the deal still needs to be ratified by the Queensland Rugby League. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

THE FEEDBACK

Since news broke the story of Folau’s intention to play for the Tigers the QRL has been inundated with feedback and the occasional strong protest.

One significant document sent from a private researcher included figures claiming the greatest discrimination in sport concerns young people who are part of the gay and lesbian community and it has caused a spike in suicide rates.

The QRL will not make a decision on Folau’s future until it contacts it major sponsors and key partners.

While the decision is not about money and cents it must be aware of the full financial consequences of its call.

The QRL must ask itself if Folau, kicked out of rugby union following his controversial posts, is a “fit and proper’’ person to be part of a game which means so much to such a broad range of people.

It is so determined to make the proper call it has ever contemplated getting an independent body to make a call on the “fit and proper’’ issue.

Two unlikely allies: Folau and Palmer reveal their intentions in Brisbane last week. Picture: Getty Images

IT’S ALL YOURS

The QRL is bracing itself for hostile feedback no matter what call it makes.

It has privately asked the game’s commission whether they want to make the call but have effectively been told “it’s all yours.’’

The QRL would not be impressed if, having resisted the chance to make a call, the game’s governors monitor feedback from the decision and jump in and made heroes of themselves by overruling it.

It’s a tricky call because if Folau is banned Palmer has threatened to take legal action to fight for his cause.

There is a feeling the last thing the QRL or the game needs is a protracted legal battle but the need for a correct moral call is paramount, even it if means making him put a clause in his contract forbidding him for making future controversial social media posts.

In a playing sense, the decision whether to allow Folau to play is not a major one because his team is not part of the big leagues.

But the story itself is huge. It will lead sports news bulletins throughout Australia and will also penetrate into overseas markets and to an extent define rugby league’s thoughts on this most sensitive issue.

The game’s biggest bosses should have a say in it.

Originally published as Robert Craddock: Israel Folau’s bid to play again a major headache for Queensland Rugby League