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Agence France-Presse

Wallabies fullback Israel Folau on Wednesday formally challenged Rugby Australia’s decision to sack him over anti-gay social media posts, thrusting the sport into further turmoil ahead of the World Cup.
The latest showdown with the devoutly religious 30-year-old – who last year was embroiled in a similar row – after he posted on his Instagram account that “Hell awaits” homosexuals.
Rugby Australia responded last week by announcing its intention to terminate Folau’s multi-year, multimillion-dollar contract to play for the Wallabies and Super Rugby’s NSW Waratahs.
After a fruitless meeting with the player on Friday, the governing body declared Folau in breach of the sport’s code of conduct and said he would be sacked unless he referred the case to a formal hearing, which he did on Wednesday.




















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Those that are living in Sin will end up in Hell unless you repent. Jesus Christ loves you and is giving you time to turn away from your sin and come to him. _______________ Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these , adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19‭-‬21 KJV _______________ Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:38 KJV _______________ And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Acts 17:30 KJV _______________
A post shared by Israel Folau (@izzyfolau) on Apr 10, 2019 at 1:18am PDT



The hearing, before representatives of Rugby Australia, the professional players association and an independent figure, is likely to be delayed by a series of public holidays over the next two weeks, extending the headache for the sport’s leaders in Australia.
Folau, Super Rugby’s all-time top try scorer, had been expected to play a crucial role for the Wallabies at the World Cup beginning in September in Japan, after Rugby Australia signed him to a A$4 million (US$2.9 million) four-year contract in February.
Israel Folau posts homophobic social media rant: diverse views are fine, but this expression is a hate crime
But following Folau’s latest comments, Rugby Australia made it clear his presence in the sport was no longer tenable, while Wallabies coach Michael Cheika declared that he would not pick the player, who just two weeks ago became the leading try scorer in Super Rugby.
National team sponsor Qantas also condemned the player’s social media stance.
Rugby Australia CEO Raelene Castle, who on Wednesday acknowledged Folau’s hearing request was “not an unexpected outcome”, had last year come under fire for allowing the player to escape sanctions for earlier anti-gay posts.

Castle and Rugby Australia’s processes were again questioned on Wednesday after The Daily Telegraph reported that Folau’s contract had no specific clause about social media use and speculated it could be used as a defence against his sacking.
“At the end of the day, either Israel Folau will stay standing or Raelene Castle will stay standing,” former Wallabies forward Peter FitzSimons, who had called for him to be fired, told commercial television broadcaster Nine on Wednesday.

The devil has blinded so many people in this world, REPENT and turn away from your evil ways. Turn to Jesus Christ who will set you free. pic.twitter.com/BWSWTMye98
— Israel Folau (@IzzyFolau) April 10, 2019

The three-person tribunal could choose to back Rugby Australia’s decision, rule that Folau did not breach the code of conduct, or issue him with a suspension that could see him return to the game.
That would force Rugby Australia to decide whether to tear up his lucrative contract, just five months out from the World Cup.
Israel Folau unrepentant after Instagram outburst; says he’s content to walk away from rugby after ban
Beaten in the 2015 World Cup final by New Zealand, Australia are coming off their worst season in decades and have fallen to number six in the world, with few giving them much chance of lifting the silverware in Japan.
Folau – who has played at an elite level in three different football codes – had said in February that playing in the tournament was a key reason why he had re-signed with the Wallabies and Waratahs.
On Sunday he struck a different tone when he told The Sydney Morning Herald that he was ready for life without rugby, saying, “I live for God now”.
“Whatever His will is, whether that’s to continue playing or not, I’m more than happy to do what He wants me to do,” Folau said.

Rugby league, the sport in which Folau started his career, is also turning its back on him. Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter Beattie said last week he had failed the sport’s character test and would not get a contract.
National Rugby League stars Benji Marshall and James Graham echoed similar views, telling Fox Sports they could not see a way for the controversial player to return to their sport.
Israel Folau supporters call for boycott of rugby and Qantas after sacking over anti-gay social media post
“I really can’t see him being allowed to play rugby league for what he said,” Graham said. “Reading what he said after it, there’s no apology, I just can’t see a way back for him and I think that’s quite sad to be honest with you.”


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The Rugby Championship

Israel Folau intends to contest sacking over anti-gay Instagram post with request for formal hearing

Australia's Israel Folau is challenging Rugby Australia’s decision to sack him. Photo: Reuters

epa07500175 (FILE) - Australia's Israel Folau runs as he scores a try during the Rugby Union autumn international match between England and Australia at Twickenham stadium in London, Britain, 24 November 2018. Rugby Australia and the New South Wales Rugby Union say on 11 April 2019 that 'as a code we have made it clear to Israel formally and repeatedly that any social media posts or commentary that is in any way disrespectful to people because of their sexuality will result in disciplinary action.' 'In the absence of compelling mitigating factors, it is our intention to terminate his contract.' EPA-EFE/NEIL HALL

In this June 25, 2016, photo Australian rugby union player Israel Folau points to the sky after scoring a try against England during their rugby union test match in Sydney. Folau, one of the sport's top players, published a message on his Instagram account that said "drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists, idolators. Hell awaits you." (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

Angry Israel Folau ‘could go back to league’

Israel Folau is angry after the ARU's decision to withdraw him from a Waratahs match against the team's wishes. Photo: AFP 

Israel Folau has racked up 26 tries in 38 matches for the NSW Waratahs in the Super 15 season. Photo: AFP

Israel Folau posts homophobic social media rant: diverse views are fine, but this expression is a hate crime

Australia’s Israel Folau posted a homophobic rant on social media. Photo: Reuters

epa07075415 Israel Folau of Australia celebrates during the 2018 Rugby Championship game between the Pumas of Argentina and the Wallabies of Australia at the Ernesto Martearena Stadium in Salta, Argentina, 06 October 2018. EPA-EFE/JAN TOUZEAU

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Australia rugby star responds to sacking, requests formal hearing amid social media uproar



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