The St. George Illawarra Dragons rugby league team have backflipped on signing star player Israel Folau after backlash from sponsors in response to controversy over Folau’s religious views which he expressed on social media in 2019.
On Tuesday, the Dragons said they made inquiries to the National Rugby League (NRL) about pursuing the code-hopping, 31-year-old star in a two-year deal from 2021.
Around 24 hours later, the club stated they abandoned the idea, according to a two-line statement that did not explain the reasoning behind the decision.
“While the Dragons did enquire about signing Folau, the club can confirm that such discussions have now ceased. The Dragons will make no further comment,” the statement read.
The NRL is also reportedly concerned about the star player.
Both the club and NRL denied allegations of the sponsorship deal’s role in the club’s decision to backflip on Folau’s contract. St. George Bank’s spokesperson claimed it “plays no role” and does not “comment on individuals.”
However, bank executives reportedly said during internal discussions that, “We don’t sponsor something to get involved in controversy—that’s not part of the deal.”
Cancelled for Religious Views
The Folau saga started in April 2019 when he shared his religious belief about a number of matters, including same-sex marriage and homosexuality, on his Instagram and Twitter accounts.One of the posts that got his contract with RA cancelled, and himself under-fire, was that Hell awaits “drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolaters.”
In response to the situation, Folau issued an apology to those who may have been offended by his posts but said it would not prevent him from expressing his beliefs.
“As Australians, we are born with certain rights, including the right to freedom of religion and the right to freedom of expression,” he said in a statement last year.
“The Christian faith has always been a part of my life and I believe it is my duty as a Christian to share God’s word.
“Upholding my religious beliefs should not prevent my ability to work or play for my club and country,” he said.
RA Chief Executive Raelene Castle announced they were “left with no choice” but to terminate his contract, claiming he had committed a high-level breach of RA’s code of conduct.
“As long as they continue to express them [religious beliefs] in a respectful way we will continue to support them,” Castle said. “The expectation is that everybody is entitled to their own differing beliefs and views on all manner of subjects.”
“I will never apologise for my faith and what I believe in, religion had nothing to do with rugby anyways #TYJ,” he said. “God will always come first in my life and many other professional rugby players.”
After being barred from RA, Folau signed with French team Catalans Dragons in the Super League until 2021 although he has not played in the NRL since 2010.
The revelation about the Dragons’ pursuit of Folau has polarised the rugby community as many fans and a major Dragons’ sponsor were said to be supporting Folau’s comeback despite NRL and St George Bank’s objection, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.Mounting Pressure on Dragons and NRL
On Thursday, NRL great Mark Geyer panned the Dragons’ management, over their handling of Folau’s case, saying the club did not properly explain the “train wreck” it had created.“It took us all by surprise, got us all involved, made us all have an opinion and then a two-line statement to say you know what, we’ve stopped our chase of Israel,” he said.
When asked what he would do if the same situation occurred at the Panthers, Geyer responded he would be “calling for someone’s head.”
“As an ex-player I’d be embarrassed about the way my club has handled such a delicate situation,” he said.
Ironically, the Dragons have spent the past two years backing Jack de Belin, who continues to play for the club despite five sexual assault charges.
