Israel Folau signs with Super League club Catalans Dragons

Israel Folau is back in the game that launched him into superstardom, but he’s walking a tightrope around his use of social media and spreading anti-gay sentiments.

Israel Folau has found a new home. Picture: Ben Stansall/AFP

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Israel Folau’s controversial past prevented the former Wallabies star from securing his future beyond 2020.

The 30-year-old on Tuesday announced he had signed a 12-month contract with French-based English Super League side Catalans Dragons.

But sources have told The Daily Telegraph that wary potential suitors were only willing to offer Folau a one-year deal because of their concerns around him expressing more homophobic views, similar to the ones which resulted in him having his Rugby Australia contract terminated.

Folau has vowed to not publicly express his sincerely held religious views, saying his “intention is not to hurt anyone”.

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Israel Folau playing at the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.

But England’s governing body, the Rugby Football League, has insured itself by insisting on an agreement with Catalans in regard to Folau.

“We do not believe that those views should be publicly expressed, especially by a high-profile sports person,” Catalans chairman Bernard Guasch said, declaring he wanted “to give Israel a new opportunity to shine on the pitch..

“We have a signed agreement with the RFL.

“Any transgression will trigger an immediate termination of Israel’s contract and a substantial fine for the club.”

It comes as Super League’s first openly gay player has slammed the decision of the Rugby Football League to allow the Dragons to sign Folau.

Wakefield Trinity prop Keegan Hirst said he was shocked and disappointed at news of Folau’s signing following his sacking by Rugby Australia last year for homophobic comments he made on Instagram.

I’m shocked and disappointed at the signing of @IzzyFolau. Our great game is tasked with fighting against homophobia and standing up for the values it puts such high stock in. It shows none of the bravery, cameraderie or integrity @rfl expects from its players, staff and fans

— Keegan Hirst (@KeeganHirst) January 28, 2020

Just to clarify. Using your religion to justify your prejudice, whatever it is, is not an expression of beliefs.
It’s prejudice.

I imagine a lot of Christians would resent the idea of being lumped in with him, as a bigot because of their religious beliefs. https://t.co/65h1S6dnIs

— Keegan Hirst (@KeeganHirst) January 28, 2020

“It shows none of the bravery, camaraderie or integrity RFL expects from its players, staff and fans.”

Folau signed a 12-month deal with the French side on Tuesday, 10 years after he last played in the NRL with Brisbane Broncos.

And in what could be seen as a not-so-subtle dig at Folau, hours after news of the signing, Wigan announced their home match against Catalans on March 22 would be Pride Day which will support the local LGBT community.

The move was largely greeted with outrage by the British rugby league community with Super League CEO Robert Elstone admitting he was disappointed at the signing but conceded there was little he could do to prevent it.

“Super League deplores the homophobic comments Israel Folau has made in the past, which squarely contradict our sport’s core values,” Elstone said.

“I have sought the opinion of informed voices connected to our game, and the majority share my disappointment that one of our clubs has chosen to sign him.

🏳️‍🌈 @WiganWarriorsRL can confirm that their round six game against @DragonsOfficiel on Sunday 22nd March will now be Pride Day, as the Warriors look support the LGBTQ+ community.

Learn more 👇https://t.co/nvxK1VHHq1

— Wigan Warriors 🍒⚪️ (@WiganWarriorsRL) January 28, 2020

Just wanna say thanks to @Giantsrl for following us back! We really appreciate your support and we cant wait to meet some of you and work together to achieve amazing things 🌈🌈🌈 #HuddersfieldGiants #RugbyForEverybody #ProudGiants

— Proud Giants (@proudgiants) January 28, 2020

One game. Together. #RLWC2021 pic.twitter.com/kDAHc2HxTM

— Rugby League World Cup 2021 (@RLWC2021) January 28, 2020

“There is a strong feeling that the decision to sign him lets down many people connected to our sport.

“I made Catalans Dragons aware of those views.

“However, Super League does not have the authority to veto the registration of players and is satisfied by the due diligence carried out by The Rugby Football League.

“Israel Folau is a free agent, who has the right to work, and he has not been charged or found guilty of any criminal offence.

Robert Elstone isn't happy with the Folau decision.

“Catalans Dragons has assured Super League that strict guidelines are in place to prevent the player from repeating his comments.

“They have also assured us that his contract will be terminated immediately should he do so.” Folau’s infamous Instagram post in which he warned hell awaits homosexuals resulted in his sacking last May.

But the two parties agreed an out-of-court settlement in December after the former Wallaby sued Rugby Australia for religious discrimination.

The RFL echoed Elstone’s comments but claimed the moral responsibility for signing a player lies with individual clubs given the former cross-code superstar had has not been charged or found guilty of any criminal offence.

Israel Folau has found a new home. Picture: Ben Stansall/AFP

Folau said he’d taken on board the concerns and promised not to make any comments that could cause offence.

“I acknowledge the views expressed by Super League and the Rugby Football League,” said Folau.

“I’m a proud Christian, my beliefs are personal, my intention is not to hurt anyone and I will not be making further public comment about them.

“I look forward to my return to the great game of rugby league with the Catalans Dragons.”

Originally published as Israel Folau signs with Super League club Catalans Dragons