Israel Folau admitted he caused harm, rugby boss Raelene Castle says
The sacked Wallabies star and Rugby Australia’s chief executive are still in mediation.
Rugby Australia chief Raelene Castle and sacked Wallabies star Israel Folau remain locked in mediation talks which began earlier this morning.
The parties elected to have lunch sent up to them instead of braving the media pack which has remained outside of Melbourne’s Federal Court all day.
As she headed in to the meeting this morning, Rugby Australia chief executive claimed Folau admitted he caused harm when he said LGBT people were going to hell but said the former Wallabies star said he would continue to “post whatever he likes.”
Raelene Castle told reporters outside the Federal Court in Melbourne on Monday that during a tribunal hearing between RA and Folau, the former Wallabies star had refused to stop posting his “harmful” views on social media.
“During that tribunal process Israel admitted he had caused harm [with] his social media commentary,” she said. “And stated he would not curb his social media use and would post whatever he likes whenever he feels he needs to share his views.”
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“Rugby Australia is confident of its legal position but we come here today with a genuine desire to find a settlement that is reasonable.”
Folau claims he was unfairly dismissed by Rugby Australia following social media posts claiming homosexuals were destined for hell unless they repented.
He is seeking $14m in compensation, with court documents filed last week claiming the figure includes an assessment the Wallabies would have performed better at the 2019 World Cup had he been in the team, and his possible ascendancy to captain.
Folau arrived at the Federal Court earlier on Monday with his wife Maria. He did not speak to reporters but held a praying circle outside with supporters.
Ms Castle said she felt confident about today’s mediation hearing and said Folau’s comments on social media following his sacking had reinforced the decision to terminate his contract.
“Israel's commentary subsequent to his termination have only reinforced this belief,” she said.
“Rugby Australia followed the process for our contract with athletes that found Israel had a high level breach that warranted his contract be terminated.”
In a video posted on Sunday, Folau said it was important to share the “word of God”.
Folau’s solicitor, George Haros, told The Australian on Sunday the sport star’s legal team was prepared for the scheduled February trial in the Federal Circuit Court should mediation fail.
“We are heading into Monday’s mediation in good faith that an amicable outcome can be reached,” Mr Haros said.
“While it is our hope the matter can be resolved, if mediation is unsuccessful Israel is ready for trial come February.”
Ms Castle said Rugby Australia had been inundated with support since Folau had been sacked and she hoped today’s mediation hearing would deliver a sensible outcome.
The mediation comes as a prominent gay rights campaigner has written to the Anti-Discrimination Board of NSW, accusing ex-Wallaby Israel Folau of “homosexuality vilification” and demanding he apologises and pays $100,000 to a charity.
Activist Garry Burns on Sunday wrote to the board’s president complaining about Folau’s April Instagram post in which he warned hell awaits homosexuals.
Former Wallabies captain David Pocock told Fox Sports the prospect of a Folau captaincy was unlikely. In a video posted on Sunday, Folau said it was important to share the “word of God”.
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