Catalans are treating Israel Folau like a slave, says Clive Palmer

Billionaire Clive Palmer has accused French club Catalans of treating Israel Folau like a slave.

Israel Folau at Southport Tigers training with his benefactor Clive Palmer

Billionaire Clive Palmer has accused French club Catalans of treating Israel Folau like a slave.

“The truth of the matter is Israel signed a contract with them in January that required Catalans to make monthly payments, which they have failed to do,” Palmer said.

“They have repudiated that contract and the contract is terminated. Israel has accepted the repudiation as did his lawyer.

“Catalans has confirmed that they have received Israel’s legal letter. I find it unbelievable that they treat Israel like a slave. Slavery has been abolished. People aren’t property, they have rights.”

Folau, with the financial backing of Palmer, has begun legal action against the Queensland Rugby League to have his contract registered to play with the Southport Tigers in the Gold Coast A grade competition.

Folau confirmed the legal action in a statement released late on Thursday, following through on an earlier threat to fight any attempt to prevent him playing.

The QRL say they cannot register a contract for Folau until he has a clearance from Catalans. The decision to take legal action against the QRL has put the unlikely duo of Folau and Palmer on a collision course with rugby league powerbrokers.

Palmer said it was shameful that the QRL was not treating Israel’s registration like any other.

“The QRL will pay the penalty in damages for denying Israel the right to earn an income for his professional services,” Palmer said.

“The QRL is denying him the right to provide for the family he loves.”

Palmer is believed to be paying Folau as much as $250,000 to play for Southport, where his two brothers are also members of the side.

The Tigers were soundly beaten 88-0 last weekend with Folau stranded on the sidelines, yet to receive a clearance to join the side.

His decision to take legal action against the QRL is an unwanted — and potentially expensive — distraction for the state body as they prepare for the opening game of the State of Origin series, to be played in Townsville next week.

Folau hasn’t played since departing Catalans in the off-season — he returned to Queensland for personal reasons.

At one point he appeared destined to sign for St George Illawarra, only for the Dragons to lose interest after a backlash from their supporters and sponsors.

The QRL received a similar response when there were suggestions he could make his return to the game through the Queensland Cup. With his options trying up, Folau was pursued by Palmer to join the Tigers, but he still faces road blocks.

Catalans head of football Alex Chan confirmed to The Australian on Thursday night that Folau remainder under contract to the club and they had had no contact with Folau since news broke that he wanted to return with Southport.

“We still expect him to come back and play but if he wants to leave, to sit down and negotiate a transfer,” Chan said.
“We have not heard from Clive or Mineralogy. We have not heard from them at all. We heard from Israel but that would have been two weeks ago through a letter.

“We have replied to him by email. The coach has tried to contact him by phone — he has not answered. There has been no talking between the club or Israel.

“He is still registered to the Dragons, he is still on our salary cap and he is still registered with the RFL (Rugby football League).”

The Queensland Rugby League held a board meeting on Thursday at which it is believed the Folau matter was discussed. QRL chair Bruce Hatcher declined to discuss the matter late on Thursday.