Israel Folau’s career in balance another controversial social media post

Wallabies star Israel Folau is in danger of having his $4 million contract torn up after sharing another controversial social media post that has left Rugby Australia “furious”.

Israel Folau was warned by RA about sharing his controversial beliefs. Picture: Getty

• ‘Downright dangerous’ Folau slammed over anti-gay post
• Folau offered to quit rugby over beliefs
• Rugby community slams Folau over tweet

Wallabies star Israel Folau is in danger of having his $4 million contract torn up after reigniting his controversial social media campaign against homosexual and transgender people, warning that they are destined for hell.

Rugby Australia is furious by the latest rant, describing the post as “unacceptable” and “disrespectful” and have engaged their integrity unit to investigate whether Folau has breached the employer’s social media policy to the point he could be sacked.

After causing outrage last year for similar homophobic posts that saw sponsors threaten to walk away from RA, Folau was warned by his employers about being respectful in his comments.

But in a meme on Instagram posted Wednesday, Folau proclaimed that hell awaits “drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists, idolators”.

The devil has blinded so many people in this world, REPENT and turn away from your evil ways. Turn to Jesus Christ who will set you free. pic.twitter.com/BWSWTMye98

— Israel Folau (@IzzyFolau) April 10, 2019

“Rugby Australia is aware of a post made by Israel Folau on his Instagram account this afternoon. The content within the post is unacceptable,” RA said in a statement on Wednesday night.

“It does not represent the values of the sport and is disrespectful to members of the rugby community.

“The Rugby Australia integrity unit has been engaged on the matter tonight.”

RA boss Raelene Castle was scrambling to make contact with Folau on Wednesday night for a “please explain”.

Folau signed a rich new four-year deal understood to be worth $1 million a year with RA in February, but prior to signing, Castle addressed his use of social media.

It’s understood that in that conversation with Castle, and last year when the furore first surfaced, Folau agreed to express his beliefs in a respectful manner.

Israel Folau was warned by RA about sharing his controversial beliefs. Picture: Getty

After claiming gays were destined for hell in April last year, Qantas threatened to pull their sponsorship of the Wallabies while Land Rover confiscated a sponsored car given to Folau.

Folau, who turned 30 last week, has been quiet on social media for some time.

Earlier on Wednesday evening, Folau slammed Tasmania’s law change to make gender optional on birth certificates as the devil’s work.

A staunch Christian, Folau took aim at the controversial reform passed by the Tasmanian lower house that will allow people aged above 16 to change the gender on their birth certificates.

“The devil has blinded so many people in this world, REPENT and turn away from your evil ways. Turn to Jesus Christ and he will set you free,” Folau wrote in his first composed tweet since November last year, above a link to a news article on the law change.

Folau recently became the greatest try-scorer in Super Rugby history. Picture: Getty

He then followed it up with the more inflammatory Instagram post.

The latest strife comes just days after Folau broke the Super Rugby record for most tries (60) by any player in the tournament’s history, having crossed against the Blues in Auckland last Saturday.

Folau was not sanctioned for his posts last year, with Castle saying at the time they had to balance community outrage with an individual’s right to express their religious beliefs.

However, she added at the time: “In his own words, Israel said that he did not intend to upset people intentionally or bring hurt to the game. We accept Israel’s position.

“Rugby Australia will use this experience as an opportunity to remind all employees of their obligation to use social media in a respectful way.”

Only on Monday, RA had forecast a multimillion-dollar loss of revenue next year due to less home Test matches in 2019 due to the World Cup starting September.

Folau, who had seemed certain to be a central figure for the Wallabies at the tournament, now stands on shaky ground due to his repeated attacks on the gay community.