Israel Folau slammed after saying gay people are destined to go to hell

CONTROVERSIAL rugby player Israel Folau is facing yet another backlash after his religious Instagram comments on gay people went viral.

Wallabies player Israel Folau is under fire after saying gay people are destined to go to hell.

CONTROVERSIAL rugby player Israel Folau is under fire after saying gay people are destined to go to hell.

In a comment to a follower, who asked the Wallabies player what was “God’s plan for gay people”, he responded: “HELL.. Unless they repent of their sins and turn to God.”

Israel Folau has come under fire over his remarks on gay people.

The high-profile player has 337,000 followers on Instagram.

Social media users slammed Folau for his remarks, describing them as “truly despicable” and out of step with the times.

This is disgusting. Israel Folau has thousands of fans, kids that look up to him - and he chooses to use that publicity to make sure that the LGBTQI+ kids of Australia know that he reckons they should go to hell. Hey Australia maybe time to get better sporting heroes aye

— Andrei (@andzyc181) April 4, 2018

Israel Folau is a truly despicable human being for making this statement. If rugby union supports and rewards a person like this, I have watched my last game of rugby union. https://t.co/AccPCdo2RN

— Angela Pulvirenti (@AngePulvirenti) April 4, 2018

I see unlike Australia, Israel Folau isn't moving with the times pic.twitter.com/sOyvlR7wh5

— Graham Love (@GLove39) April 3, 2018

Israel Folau is getting criticised for his anti-gay comments.

He hates the idea of getting picked up by a man. pic.twitter.com/VmLeJ44C1F

— Dai Lama (@WelshDalaiLama) April 4, 2018

Qantas has also faced a backlash, with some users suggesting the airline should drop its sponsorship for the Wallabies.

Does @Qantas or the @qantaswallabies have any comments on @IzzyFolau stating that all gay people are going to hell. Is that a core belief of Qantas and the Wallabies?

— anarunotinnz (@anaruinnz) April 4, 2018

@Qantas As a major Sponsor for the wallabies are you ok with @IzzyFolau homophobic outburst. Considering a significant amount of your staff are Gay?? I think you should drop the sponsorship.

— M E L O D R A M A 🥀 (@00youngjezzay00) April 4, 2018

How can Qantas celebrate anything to do with this hateful disgrace of a human being

— Peter Clark (@peterclark2481) April 4, 2018

Yes @qantaswallabies celebrate someone who is still trying to push Australia back into the 1950s. He’s a disgrace. No role model for children

— toddboardman (@ausbentboy) April 4, 2018

Qantas responded to the criticism echoing Rugby Australia’s statement that it supports “all forms of inclusion, whether its sexuality, race, or gender”.

“As a sponsor of Rugby Australia, we’re supportive of their approach towards tolerance and inclusion, which aligns with our own,” a Qantas spokesperson told foxsports.com.au.

The Qantas Wallabies supported Australia’s “Yes” campaign on same-sex marriage last year.

Folau’s stance against gay people is well-known.

The devout Christian publicly tweeted that he would vote “No” on the same-sex marriage postal vote last year.

I love and respect all people for who they are and their opinions. but personally, I will not support gay marriage.✌❤🙏

— Israel Folau (@IzzyFolau) September 13, 2017

His stance drew a strong backlash on social media, but at the time he said it didn’t faze him.

“I stand alongside what I said on that time and I’ve left it there. I stay true to myself and what I believe in,” he said.

“I thought about all the things that could happen afterwards, and that’s fine for me. I respect everyone and everyone’s opinions which is all good.”