Israel Folau, the former Wallabies who has had his multi-million Rugby Australia contract terminated in May after a homophobic Instagram post, has said over the weekend that he would “absolutely” do it again if given the chance.
In the controversial post, a banner can be seen that reads “Warning. Drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolaters. Hell awaits you. Repent! Only Jesus saves.”
AFP is reporting that Folau was a guest speaker at Saturday’s Australian Christian Lobby annual conference in Sydney. During an interview on stage, he admitted he knew his social media post would be offensive but he would “absolutely” do it again.
“I knew it was going to be offensive to a lot of people,” he is quoted as saying, adding that ultimately, however, it was “a message of love.”
“My intentions around posting that and sharing the truth of what the scriptures say… I didn’t think it was going to come to the point where I’m in this situation now,” he concluded.
It has also been revealed that the record try-scorer is pursuing legal action against Rugby Australia and NSW Rugby in a bid to prove that he was unlawfully dismissed under legislation that blocks termination because of a person’s religion.
Rugby Australia, however, is insisting his firing was purely contractual, adding that “he had agreed” not to belittle anyone over their sexual orientation following a similar controversy last year.
A trial has been set for February unless a court-ordered mediation in December is successful.
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