‘Outrageous’: Qantas boss Alan Joyce responds to explosive Folau allegation

Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce has hit back at explosive Alan Jones comments regarding Israel Folau’s contract termination.

Israel Folau of the Wallabies looks on at Allianz Stadium in Sydney.

Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce says claims he was responsible for ordering Israel Folau’s sacking are “outrageous” while comparing the saga to cricket’s ball tampering brouhaha.

Speaking at a media conference on Thursday, Joyce reiterated that the airline was supportive of Rugby Australia’s decision to tear up Folau’s contract.

But he shot down the accusation from former Wallabies coach Alan Jones — and others — that the team’s major sponsor was actively involved in the employment dispute and subsequent contract termination.

“We sponsor organisations and sports teams to get a positive benefit out of it,” Joyce told reporters.

Stream the 2019 Vodafone Super Rugby Finals on KAYO. Every match live & on-demand plus Kayo Mini condensed replays. Get your 14 day free trial & start streaming instantly >

Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce speaks during a Frequent Flyer program announcement.

“When it becomes controversial, we, of course, want the sporting code to fix those issues.

“Israel’s comments were terrible for a large element of the community, a vulnerable element of the community.

“We felt that was causing controversy for our sponsorship and as a consequence, we asked Rugby Australia ‘what are you doing to make sure we’re not involved in controversy?’”

“It is their issue to resolve, they have put a solution in place, they’re working through that and we’re very supportive of what they’re doing.

NEW PODCAST! Brumbies star Tom Banks on the Super Rugby​ finals, Junior Wallabies coach Jason Gilmore previews the World Championship decider and Classic Wallabies boss Justin Harrison joins from the Gold Blooded tour

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes by CLICKING HERE

“The same was true of Cricket Australia with the ball tampering, we said ‘that was not good.’ “Some sponsors pulled out, we didn’t.

“We gave them time to fix it, and they fixed it.

“We’re still a sponsor and continue to be a sponsor because they did the right thing.”

Joyce also joked that Jones was welcome to continue flying with Qantas.

“We don’t discriminate against anybody — other people may, but we don’t,” he laughed.

“Even Alan Jones is welcome to get Lifetime Platinum Status if he gets there.”

MORE RUGBY NEWS

‘THERE IS HOPE’: The Aussie young guns lighting golden path forward

FIVE THINGS: The crippling crisis Aussie rugby must solve

ALL THE TIME: Wallabies great slams NRL double standards over Ponga code clash