Folau says he was unlawfully fired because of his religious beliefs
Israel Folau will be seeking substantial costs as he begins legal proceedings against Rugby Australia, saying: “No Australian of any faith should be fired for practising their religion.”
Israel Folau has formally lodged his appeal against Rugby Australia and NSW Rugby after he was sacked for his social media posts.
The Wallabies fullback issued a statement confirming he was challenging his termination under the Fair Work Act, on the basis that he was unlawfully fired because of his religious beliefs.
According to the documents filed with the Fair Work Commission Folau will be seeking $5 million in lost salary plus damages expected to be in the millions.
If successful, it has been reported that the case could send Rugby Australia broke.
“I will forever be grateful and proud to have played the sport I love for our nation. Ours is an amazing country built on important principles, including freedom of religion,” Folau said in a statement release on Thursday.
“A nation made up of so many different faiths and cultural backgrounds will never be truly rich unless this freedom applies to all of us.
“The messages of support we have received over these difficult few weeks have made me realise there are many Australians who feel their fundamental rights are being steadily eroded.
“No Australian of any faith should be fired for practising their religion.”
According to the statement, Folau will be seeking “substantial remedies”, after submitting an application stating that his sacking stopped him playing at the peak of his career with the World Cup on the horizon.
Folau’s announcement comes one day after he revealed he had hired prominent Melbourne QC Stuart Wood as well as the Macpherson Kelley law firm.
SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE: Read Jamie Pandaram’s fascinating series on the stunning breakdwon between Israel Folau and Rugby Australia.
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