Rugby Australia terminates Folau's contract – as it happened
Rugby Australia terminates four-year, $4m contract of star WallabyCEO Raelene Castle: ‘When we say rugby is a game for all, we mean it’ Mike Hytner’s report on a landmark day in Australian rugby: Israel Folau sacked over social media posts 7.37am BST So - we await now what word will emerge from Israel Folau’s camp. The player himself was not in Sydney today, but rather in Adelaide where his wife Maria has been playing in the Super Netball competition with the Adelaide Thunderbirds. Folau and his legal representatives have 72 hours to formally respond - but if, as has been suggested, he looks to take a protest to the Supreme Court, this whole sorry saga could yet drag on. Related: Israel Folau sacked after panel rules in favour of Rugby Australia 7.15am BST An email from Roberta: Hi Richard. I don’t really know what grounds there is for Folau to appeal this decision. If you sign a contract as an employee, especially one in the sporting limelight and you breach that contract or code of conduct then you must expect the consequences especially as this is not a first offence or so I understand. Related: Israel Folau hearing could turn on point of NSW law, expert says 6.59am BST An excellent piece on this issue of identity and religion from a few weeks back was this from Tonga’s first ever Olympic medal winner, the heavyweight boxer Paea Wolfgramm: I’ll wager dollar for doughnuts, the issue of football versus faith and family will arise again, but the way in which RA has dealt with the “Folau question” has poured fuel on the fire. Related: Rugby Australia risks galvanising Pasifika around Israel Folau | Paea Wolfgramm 6.56am BST An interesting issue that emerged during the immediate furore surrounding Folau’s comments (not just when it emerged mid-April, but a year earlier with Folau’s first infraction on social media) was how a decision such as tearing up the Wallaby’s contract would be received within the playing group, especially from the increasingly large cohort of teammates from Pasifika background, many whom share deep religious views of their own. The Tongan-born Taniela Tupoa has gone on the public record in response to news that Folau could be sacked saying: “Seriously??? Might as well sack me and all the other Pacific Islands rugby players around the world because we have the same Christian beliefs???” 6.47am BST Let’s bring you some of the immediate reaction Some support for Folau from expected quarters. Pathetic but predictable. Hope @IzzyFolau explores the legal avenues open to him. https://t.co/hru42Mcdgc Folau now has more free time to go and preach his bile.... Next time an Angie Williamson gets sacked for advocating access to abortion, or Scott McIntyre for questioning ANZAC myth, or workers are sanctioned for complaining about industrial issues online I will remember Folau getting sacked - a win for employers everywhere. #israelfolau NOW | Israel Folau has been sacked by Rugby Australia over controversial social media posts.@2GB873 Host @AlanJones gives his take to @BenFordham 6.31am BST So. Where does this leave us? To recap: 6.21am BST Press conference concludes Raelene Castle: In rugby, there is not a place for someone that puts their views or position in front of everyone else’s. That is true of every employee that we have at Rugby Australia, not just the player base, every employee for Rugby Australia, we all need to work together and lived to the values of Rugby Australia. Thank you. 6.19am BST Raelene Castle denies sacking curtails freedom of speech The CEO continues: I believe that from a sport point of view, the expectation is that everybody is entitled to their own differing beliefs and views on all manner of subjects, but if you are going to express them as an employee of an organisation, when you have signed a contract that clearly sets out the expectations of the values of that code, you must abide by that contract and if you don’t, it is a breach of contract and your contract could be terminated. 6.17am BST Raelene Castle dismisses concerns of further protests within squad She says: I am 100% confident. And I’m confident because those players understand that everybody has a right to their own views on religious beliefs, and as long as they continue to express them in a respectful way we will continue to support them. And I have absolute confidence that Michael Cheika will build a rugby team that is incredibly competitive for the World Cup. 6.16am BST Raelene Castle defends process, doesn’t rule out potential Folau supreme court challenge It will be landmark, it will be important, and it is a big decision. He is a very important player in our game and he has been for a long period of time and we wanted to make sure we took the time to get it right. Ultimately Mr Folau will make his decisions and we will deal with that when and if we find ourselves in that situation. 6.14am BST Raelene Castle takes questions The Rugby Australia boss confirms what will happen now, which is that Folau has 72 hours to formally respond. Mr Folau knew when he pressed that button these were the implications that post was going to have ... This is a decision that will change the landscape for sport across Australia and perhaps internationally. 6.11am BST More from Castle’s statement: People need to feel safe and welcoming the game, regardless of their race, background or sexuality. We do want to thank the tribunal panel for their decision and we respect the time, consideration and expertise the panel members brought to this process. Representing Australia and all Australians on the rugby field is a privilege. 6.08am BST Raelene Castle has confirmed the governing body has torn up the star Wallaby’s four-year contract worth $4m. Here’s what she said: While Rugby Australia accepts the panel’s decision to terminate his player contract for his breach of the code of conduct, we want to stress that this outcome is a painful situation for the game. Rugby Australia did not choose to be in the situation, but Rugby Australia’s position remains that Israel, through his actions, left us with no choice but to pursue the course of action resulting in today’s outcome. This has been an extremely challenging period for rugby. This issue has created an unwanted disruption in an important year for the sport and for the Wallabies team. Our clear message today is that we need to stand by our values and the qualities of inclusion, passion, integrity, discipline, respect and teamwork. 6.07am BST Raelene Castle: We are here to announce that Wallabies and Waratahs player Israel Folau has today been issued a sanction directing termination of his playing contract for his breach of the professional players’ code of conduct. A three-member panel of John West, QC; chair, Kate Eastman and John Boultbee, provided a final written decision today in relation to the code of conduct hearing over Israel Folau’s social media post on 10 April 2019. 6.06am BST Prominent supporters of Folau have been active earlier in the day. Former Wallabies coach and media personality Alan Jones launched a fierce attack on Rugby Australia through The Australian newspaper, calling on Raelene Castle and the entire board to be sacked for their handling of the matter claiming it was a matter of free speech. “If, as a nation, we want freedom of speech, then the corollary is that people will be offended.” 6.02am BST ABC News reports contract has been cancelled We’re still awaiting to hear from Raelene Castle herself, but news is filtering out ahead of the press conference. That’s just minutes away. 6.01am BST Standing by Folau, the three-time John Eales medallist and 73-cap Wallaby, has been associated with the national team for over nine years, but all that could be about to come to an end. 5.54am BST Hi all - thanks for your company today. There’s a lot of conjecture flying round already, and we haven’t had formal confirmation from Rugby Australia’s CEO Raelene Castle yet, who will be addressing the media in Sydney shortly. There are preliminary reports coming out that the star Wallaby is about to receive the news that his contract will be torn up - we’ll confirm that when it’s definitive. 5.44am BST Rugby Australia CEO Raelene Castle has announced a press conference at 3pm (AEST) where it’s expected she will announce the sanction handed down to Israel Folau by RA’s three-person code of conduct tribunal panel hearing - with possible outcomes including the complete termination of Folau’s contract or a suspension or fine, given the body has already found the player guilty of a “high-level breach” of the sport’s code of conduct. We’ll have the announcement, the reaction and try and pull together what this all means, here. Continue reading...