Ian Roberts urges fans to make Israel Folau ‘hate what he’s done’

Former rugby league star Ian Roberts wants English fans to make controversial Israel Folau to ‘hate what he’s done’.

Israel Folau has returned to rugby league with Catalan Dragons. Picture: EPA

Former rugby league star Ian Roberts wants English Super League fans to make controversial Catalans recruit Israel Folau to “hate what he’s done’’.

Folau will make his league return after a nine-year hiatus for French side the Dragons, after Rugby Australia sacked the dual-code international in May last year for homophobic posts on social media.

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Roberts, the only NRL star to have come out as gay, said football fans must continue to keep piling the pressure on Folau and his divisive views.

“The i’s have been dotted and the t’s crossed, he’s signed the one year contract so all we can do now is continue to have this conversation around him. We need him to get sick of people having this conversation about him, that’s what he represents now. Let’s make him hate what he’s done, let us make him think about what he’s done,” Roberts said.

Ironically, Roberts believes Folau’s views on homosexuality have only galvanised the sporting community.

Wigan Warriors announced players would wear rainbow socks when they take on the Catalans in March.

“I used to play for Wigan, and it’s a wonderful gesture. When he’s playing and teams are wearing rainbow socks … it’s his ignorance that has created this camaraderie and banded people together who are saying ‘this is not acceptable’. Izzy created that, this is his work,” Roberts said.

Roberts also encouraged Folau to take a greater responsibility for the damage his views may cause, in particular among LGTBI youth.

“LGTBI youth are five times more likely to take their own life … what he’s done can push someone over the edge and he’s not responded to that responsibility as someone in the public,” Roberts said.

“That’s been the saddest thing, it’s a bit cowardly really. If he wants to have this conversation, you have to have it in full.

“It’s not only about ‘you and your hell’, it’s also about other kids who may have been brought up in families with the same beliefs are now feeling alienated.

“You can’t dispute Israel’s ability as a footballer, he’s a fantastic player but at what point do things become bigger than the game … this is one of those times.”

Meanwhile, Folau will be considered for Tonga selection if he performs well for Catalan Dragons, according to coach Kristian Woolf.

“Israel is a real professional and in any meetings or dealings I have had with him he has been really good,” Woolf told NRL.com.

“If he is playing footy that warrants picking him in the side, he will be considered along with everyone else.

“He wouldn’t get selected because of who is, he would only be selected because he is the best player.”

However, Woolf also admits there will always be a reason to stay loyal to the players who have performed so well in recent years.

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH, AAP