‘No Australian should be fired for their religion’: Israel Folau launches unfair dismissal claim after he was sacked from his $4million rugby contract for ‘homophobic’ post
- Applications were filed with the Fair Work Commission after Folau was sacked
- Folau, 30, said no Australian of any religion should be fired for practising faith
- His contract was ripped up on May 17 for sharing a Bible message on Instagram
- The dumped Wallabies star will argue he was unlawfully terminated for religion
Lawyers for dumped Wallabies star Israel Folau have lodged an unfair dismissal claim against Rugby Australia.
Applications were filed with the Fair Work Commission on Thursday against both the national and NSW governing sports bodies, following the 30-year-old’s sacking last month after he posted comments on social media about homosexuals.
‘No Australian of any faith should be fired for practising their religion,’ Folau said in a statement.
Lawyers for dumped Wallabies star Israel Folau (left with wife Maria) have lodged an unfair dismissal claim against Rugby Australia
Rugby Australia and the NSW Waratahs terminated Folau’s contract on May 17 citing a breach of their code of conduct by sharing a message from the bible, proclaiming homosexuals, drunks, adulterers and other so-called ‘sinners’ were destined for hell unless they repented.
Folau will now argue that under the Fair Work Act his employment was unlawfully terminated because of his religion.
‘I will forever be grateful and proud to have played the sport I love for our nation,’ he said.
‘Ours is an amazing country built on important principles, including freedom of religion. A nation made up of so many different faiths and cultural backgrounds will never be truly rich unless this freedom applies to all of us.’
Documents lodged with the commission claim the sacking meant Folau was prevented from playing at the peak of his career and on the cusp of a Rugby World Cup, which would have generated greater exposure and opportunities.
‘No Australian of any faith should be fired for practising their religion,’ Folau said in a statement
Rugby Australia and the NSW Waratahs terminated Folau’s contract on May 17 citing a breach of their code of conduct by sharing a message from the bible on Instagram
‘The messages of support we have received over these difficult few weeks have made me realise there are many Australians who feel their fundamental rights are being steadily eroded,’ Folau said.
At the time of the sacking, Rugby Australia chief executive Raelene Castle said it was a sad day for the sport to terminate the Wallabies’ three-time player of the year and Super Rugby’s all-time leading try-scorer.
Rugby League boss Peter Beattie has cleared up speculation Folau could join the NRL, after the former Wallabies star reportedly tried to revive his career.
The chairman confiemd on Wednesday that the league’s decision on Folau ‘remains the same’.
Rugby League boss Peter Beattie (pictured) has cleared up speculation Folau could join the NRL, after the former Wallabies star reportedly tried to revive his career
‘We are an inclusive game with respect for all. Israel has social media posts online that go against what our game stands for,’ Mr Beattie told The Australian.
‘As it stands, he will not be considered for registration.’
Folau’s little bother John has quit the New South Wales Waratahs in protest of him being sacked.
The rugby team on Thursday confirmed the 24-year-old was granted immediate release after struggling with ‘divided loyalties’.
John has stayed away from his teammates for weeks and hasn’t played a game for the Waratahs since he joined the team a the beginning of the season.
Folau’s little bother John has quit the New South Wales Waratahs in protest of him being sacked