Israel Folau: Sacked Australian rugby player requests code of conduct appeal hearing over homophobic tirade

Folau was sacked by Rugby Australia after his latest homophobic outburt on Instagram

Israel Folau has requested a code of conduct hearing with Rugby Australia after they informed the international of their intention to sack him following his homophobic Instagram rant.

Folau was found to have committed a “high-level breach” of the governing body’s Professional Players’ Code of Conduct after claiming that "hell awaits" for "drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists, idolators".

The Instagram outburst came a year after Folau posted a comment that said gay people will go to “HELL unless they repent”, and having also tweeted previous homophobic messages, RA took the decision to terminate his contract with the national team and Super Rugby side the New South Wales Waratahs.

Folau was given 48 hours to accept or appeal the decision, with the 30-year-old choosing the latter.

Chief executive Raelene Castle said: "Israel has responded formally today to request a code of conduct hearing which, under the circumstances, was not an unexpected outcome. We will now work to confirm a date for the hearing as soon as possible.

"After the date for the hearing is confirmed, Rugby Australia and the NSW Rugby Union will make no further comment on the matter until the code of conduct process has concluded."

Unless Folau can successfully overturn his contract termination, he will not be allowed to play at this year’s Rugby World Cup in Japan that begins in September. The former rugby league and Australian Rules player was signed to a lucrative contract with RA until the end of 2022, but the governing body have elected to tear it up over the latest homophobic scandal.

"Following the events of last year, Israel was warned formally and repeatedly about the expectations of him as a player for the Wallabies and NSW Waratahs with regards to social media use and he has failed to meet those obligations,” Castle said last week.

"It was made clear to him that any social media posts or commentary that is in any way disrespectful to people because of their sexuality will result in disciplinary action.

"All professional rugby players in Australia are bound by the code of conduct and there is a process in place for any disciplinary matter."

Israel Folau has been sacked by Rugby Australia (Reuters)

Folau has stood by his comments and insisted that he does not regret the Instagram post despite the potential cost being his career in rugby union. Should his appeal fail, he will be unable to sign new terms with any of the four Super Rugby sides, while the National Rugby League has already ruled out a return to the 13-man code.

Folau would not be welcome in the Japanese Top League either, and European clubs would be wary of signing a player who would cost so much and come with plenty of off-field baggage. Toulon, who have made it their preference to sign big-name players from the southern hemisphere, have already distanced themselves from any move for the Wallaby.

Raelene Castle confirmed that Folau has requested a code of conduct meeting (AFP/Getty)

The saga has already spread to European rugby and, in particular, England after the RFU decided to official warn Billy Vunipola over his support for Folau. The No 8, who was also disciplined by his club Saracens, initially liked Folau’s post in Instagram before issuing his own message to explain why he had done so, adding that “man was created for woman to procreate”. Vunipola is of devout Christian faith like Folau, but accepted the warnings and showed “genuine remorse” and an understanding that his comments had hurt people, according to the RFU.