Israel Folau needs clearance from French club before being allowed to play in Queensland
Israel Folau first must count on the benevolence of a club he abandoned before the Queensland Rugby League consider letting him play in the Gold Coast competition.
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Israel Folau’s return to rugby league in Australia has taken another twist after the controversial cross-code star was blocked from playing until he receives a clearance from the French club he abandoned.
Folau’s application to play for the Southport Tigers in the Gold Coast A-grade competition is yet to be approved by the Queensland Rugby League.
The QRL announced on Wednesday morning that Folau could not play for the Tigers until he received a formal clearance from Super League club Catalans, who he is currently contracted to.
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Folau’s lawyers have been notified of the decision.
Folau has opted to play for the Tigers after being offered $250,000 by billionaire mining magnate Clive Palmer, a Southport club patron.
He was hoping to play his first game for the Tigers on Saturday night against Burleigh, but a hurdle has arisen.
Despite Palmer’s declaration that Catalans voided Folau’s contract by not paying him, the Dragons insist he is still a contracted player.
Therefore, the QRL has refused to approve Folau’s registration. If Folau receives a clearance, he will be permitted to play park footy only in Queensland.
“The QRL have not received confirmation that Folau is released from his existing playing contract, nor has he received a clearance from his last known registered overseas club,” the QRL said in a statement.
“The QRL cannot proceed with any registration approval until such time as the clearance is received – this is in accordance with current national policy regarding international clearances playing at any level of the game.
“On receipt of international clearance, Folau will be granted permission to register for the Southport Tigers at a community rugby league level and no higher, as per the registration request that has been made.
“Any registration is subject to Folau confirming he has read and understood his obligations as a player under the QRL Rules, the QRL Code of Conduct and the Community Rugby League Terms and Conditions NRL Registration.
“Should the registration proceed in compliance with these conditions, any breach of the code of conduct could lead to suspension, or the cancellation of the player’s registration, as it would for any other player.
“The QRL acknowledge that previous social media comments made by Folau, whilst not a registered participant in rugby league at the time, do not align to the beliefs of the game, or the QRL.
“The QRL is an inclusive organisation with a proud diversity and inclusion framework.”
Folau was sacked by Rugby Australia in 2019 following a series of social media posts relating to same-sex relationships. He later received a multimillion-dollar payout from RA.
Palmer is famous for championing free speech and has thrown his support behind Folau’s attempts to return to rugby league.
Palmer this week threatened legal action if the QRL did not approve Folau’s return in time for Saturday’s game.
While the QRL is prepared to register Folau, the organisation will not do that until a formal clearance from Catalans is obtained.
“We still hold his contract, he’s still a registered player with Catalans Dragons. It was a big shock to see what was put out there,” Catalans football manager Alex Chan said earlier this week.
“We can’t just let things happen like this.”
The QRL was also bemused by Palmer’s threats to launch costly legal action.
“While the QRL acknowledges the differing views in relation to this application, the league is astounded that public commentary has included threats of protracted legal action should registration not be granted,” they said.
“As a not-for-profit organisation, the QRL’s objectives are to foster and develop the game in Queensland, and to generally take action that is considered to be in the best interests of rugby league in Queensland.”
Gay community fury won’t stop Izzy’s QRL bid
Israel Folau is set to be formally registered by the Queensland Rugby League despite the Gay and lesbian community launching a savage attack over his potential return to the game.
News Corp understands the QRL will ratify Folau’s comeback with the Southport Tigers on Wednesday — pending a final clearance from his most recent employer, English Super League outfit Catalans Dragons.
Furious members of the gay and lesbian fraternity have bombarded the Queensland Rugby League, protesting Folau’s proposed return in a sign of the highly-charged political complexities of the controversial code-hopper’s desire to launch a rugby league comeback.
QRL powerbrokers held a series of marathon meetings on Tuesday, some involving legal advisers, as Queensland’s governing body weighs up whether to reject Folau’s application to play for the Southport Tigers in the Gold Coast competition.
Folau’s lawyers believe the QRL green light is imminent.
Folau’s rich backer Clive Palmer, a Southport club patron, has threatened to sue the QRL if they refuse to register the 32-year-old, who was sacked by Rugby Australia two years ago for his homophobic comments.
Folau subsequently reached a multimillion-dollar settlement with RA before embarking on a return to rugby league with French club Catalans Dragons last year.
It is understood the QRL board has no interest in a protracted and costly legal battle with billionaire Palmer and will formally rubberstamp Folau’s Southport registration following a final meeting of their executive on Wednesday.
The QRL are leaving no stone unturned in their assessment of Folau’s application, reaching out to Catalans bosses 16,000km away seeking clarification on whether he is still formally contracted to the Super League outfit.
Folau’s proposed return with Southport has gone down like a lead balloon with the gay and lesbian community, who have inundated the QRL with irate phone calls slamming the organisation for even considering his registration.
QRL sources say the organisation has never encountered such a ferocious backlash on any subject in their history.
QRL officialdom last week received a report from gay and lesbian community leaders outlining how alleged discrimination from the sporting world was one of the key factors in a spate of gay-and-lesbian youth suicides.
That revelation has rung alarm bells with QRL executives, who must juggle the inclusive mindset of the NRL fraternity against the legal ramifications of attempting to veto Folau’s request to play park football with Southport.
Folau was granted a release by Catalans to return home on compassionate grounds in January and the French club reiterated over the weekend that Folau still held a contract with them.
“We still hold his contract, he’s still a registered player with Catalans Dragons. It was a big shock to see what was put out there,” Catalans football manager Alex Chan told PA.
“We can’t just let things happen like this.”
Folau has vowed to fight for his rights and at his comeback press conference last week, Palmer rubbished suggestions the former Queensland Origin star was still contracted to the French club.
“Well, that’s just a lot of bluff,” Palmer said.
“The truth about it is we have had a look at that before we signed Israel up. He signed a contract with them in January that required them to make some substantial financial payments to Israel, which they have failed (to do) and defaulted in doing.
“In a legal sense, they have repudiated that contract, Israel has accepted that repudiation and the contract is terminated. That’s the legal position. They don’t have a leg to stand on.”
GAY COMMUNITY’S SAVAGE ATTACK ON QRL OVER FOLAU
The Israel Folau saga has taken a dramatic twist with the gay and lesbian community launching a savage attack on the Queensland Rugby League over his potential return to the game.
Furious members of the gay and lesbian community have bombarded the Queensland Rugby League protesting Folau’s proposed return in a sign of the highly-charged political complexities of the controversial code-hopper’s desire to launch a rugby league comeback.
QRL powerbrokers held a series of marathon meetings on Tuesday, some involving legal advisers, as Queensland’s governing body weighs up whether to reject Folau’s application to play for the Southport Tigers in the Gold Coast competition.
Folau’s billionaire backer Clive Palmer, a Southport club patron, has threatened to sue the QRL if they refuse to register the 32-year-old, who was sacked by Rugby Australia two years ago for his homophobic comments.
Folau subsequently reached a multimillion-dollar settlement with RA before embarking on a return to rugby league with French club Catalans Dragons last year.
But the QRL are leaving no stone unturned in their assessment of Folau’s application, reaching out to Catalans 16,000km away seeking clarification on whether he is still formally contracted to the Super League outfit.
Folau’s proposed return with Southport has gone down like a lead balloon with the gay and lesbian community, who have inundated the QRL with irate phone calls slamming the organisation for even considering his registration.
QRL sources say the organisation has never encountered such a ferocious backlash on any subject in their history.
QRL officialdom last week received a report from gay and lesbian community leaders outlining how alleged discrimination from the sporting world was one of the key factors in a spate of gay-and-lesbian youth suicides.
That revelation has rung alarm bells with QRL executives, who must juggle the inclusive mindset of the NRL fraternity against the legal ramifications of attempting to veto Folau’s request to play park football with Southport.
Folau was granted a release by Catalans to return home on compassionate grounds in January and the French club reiterated over the weekend that Folau still held a contract with them.
“We still hold his contract, he’s still a registered player with Catalans Dragons. It was a big shock to see what was put out there,” Catalans football manager Alex Chan told PA.
“We can’t just let things happen like this.”
Folau has vowed to fight for his rights and at his comeback press conference last week, Palmer rubbished suggestions the former Queensland Origin star was still contracted to the French club.
“Well, that’s just a lot of bluff,” Palmer said.
“The truth about it is we have had a look at that before we signed Israel up. He signed a contract with them in January that required them to make some substantial financial payments to Israel, which they have failed (to do) and defaulted in doing.
“In a legal sense, they have repudiated that contract, Israel has accepted that repudiation and the contract is terminated. That’s the legal position. They don’t have a leg to stand on.”
NRL CLUB READY TO POUNCE ON FOLAU
The Queensland Rugby League believes at least one NRL club is waiting in the shadows hoping Israel Folau is given the green light to return to rugby league.
The QRL are expected to meet on Tuesday morning to discuss Folau’s bid to play for the Southport Tigers in the Gold Coast Rugby League.
Though Folau’s backer Clive Palmer has threatened legal action if a decision is not made by Wednesday the QRL will not be rushed into making a call, even though their verdict could still come within the next 24 hours.
Folau was sacked by the Australian Rugby Union for posting homophobic quotes from the bible.
If Folau is permitted to return to the Gold Coast competition, it will inevitably trigger speculation over whether he should be allowed to progress to the NRL.
The NRL initially said he would be unwelcome in their code but chief executive Andrew Abdo said earlier this year any application to have Folau registered in the NRL would be discussed on merit.
“That process involves a number of diligence matters and that includes an assessment of the individual and that will take place,” Abdo said in February.
The Dragons approached Folau earlier this year but withdrew their interest following public backlash before it reached the NRL.
It is believed at least one NRL club is monitoring proceedings closely and will sniff the breeze on public opinion if Folau is given the green light by the ARL to return with the Tigers.
The key question the QRL board must answer as they address the request is whether Folau is considered a “fit and proper’’ person to play the game.
Since news broke the story of Folau’s intention to play for the Tigers, the QRL has been swamped with feedback on both sides of the argument.
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 is so keen to protect itself from a legal challenge on its call it has even contemplated getting an independent body to make a recommendation on whether Folau is “fit and proper.’’
The QRL is bracing itself for hostile feedback no matter what call it makes.
The QRL is keen to avoid 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.
The league has privately asked the game’s commission whether it wanted to make the call but the matter has landed back in the lap of the QRL, much to their chagrin.
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Originally published as Israel Folau needs clearance from French club before being allowed to play in Queensland
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