REVEALED: How Rugby Australia could have unwittingly opened the door for Israel Folau to file ANOTHER lawsuit after his controversial sacking
- Rugby Australia could face an additional lawsuit from former player Israel Folau
- They may have breached competition law in their haste to fire him last month
- The organisation inadvertently claimed sponsors impacted their decision
Rugby Australia could face an additional lawsuit from Israel Folau after his legal team realised they may have breached competition law in their haste to fire him.
The organisation may have inadvertently admitted to interfering with contract relations and potentially breaching competition law after they suggested financial backers threatened to withdraw support should Folau have kept his contract.
The 30-year-old had his $4million contract torn up last month after he breached his its terms by sharing divisive content on social media.
Rugby Australia’s governing body said ‘the alternative would be that we’d have no sponsors at all’ when discussing the decision to fire the star Wallaby’s player.
Rugby Australia could face an additional lawsuit from Israel Folau after his legal team realised they may have breached competition law in their haste to fire him
‘No sponsor has indicated they would be willing to be associated with social media posts of that sort, and that includes government, because we’ve also heard from them,’ Rugby Australia chairman Cameron Clyne said.
‘We would also potentially be in litigation with employees who are gay and who would say we’re not providing a workplace that is safe or respectful.’
Sydney barrister Jeffrey Phillips told The Australian Mr Clyne’s comments put the body in a precarious situation if Folau decides to pursue that avenue.
He said sponsors and the government are not legally able to place pressure on Rugby Australia to terminate Folau’s contract – and if the organisation were to bow to said pressure, they could be in breach of their contract relations.
Mr Clyne rubbished suggestions Folau was fired to satisfy investors.
Sydney barrister Jeffrey Phillips told The Australian Mr Clyne’s (pictured) comments put the body in a precarious situation if Folau decides to pursue that avenue
He said sponsors ‘have the right’ to associate with games they feel best reflects their values and customer demographic.
‘It is absolute nonsense to suggest it was done at the behest of a sponsor. Having said that, I haven’t had any sponsor come forward and say they were happy with the post or happy to be associated with it.’
Folau was thrust back into the spotlight after he was sacked when he created a GoFundMe account pleading with everyday Australians to donate to fund his legal battle with his former employer.
The 30-year-old was hoping to raise $3million, but the platform shut down his appeal just six days after it was opened, claiming it breached their terms of service.
The fund had raised more than $750,000 – all of which was returned to donors.
In retaliation, the Australian Christian Lobby launched its own browser for willing donors to make a contribution.
They temporarily shut the page down two days later after receiving an unprecedented amount.
Approximately $2million was raised for Folau’s campaign within a matter of days.
Australian Christian Lobby temporarily shut the page down two days later after receiving an unprecedented amount
The Australian Christian Lobby launched its own browser for willing donors to make a contribution. They also vowed to donate $100,000 to the cause