Protester slams 'disgusting' treatment during Israel Folau's return

A woman who wore a rainbow flag to Israel Folau’s Super League debut with Catalans Dragons has taken to Twitter, claiming club officials twice attempted to have her remove it.

Alison Grey wore the flag to protest the signing of Folau, who was forced to sign with the Super League club after a lengthy legal dispute with Rugby Australia.

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Folau’s contract with Rugby Australia was terminated after a series of social media post in which he said ‘hell awaits’ homosexuals.

He reached a settlement with the governing body after a protracted legal dispute, but was unable to sign with a club in either code in Australia due to his controversial views.

In a series of posts on Twitter, Grey and her brother Chris claimed Catalans Dragons officials twice asked her to remove her rainbow flag.

“Just been told I am not allowed this flag because the club does not allow it. How disgusting,” she wrote.

“I was twice asked to remove it. Firstly as I was told it was against health and safety.

“Secondly because it is against club policy.”

Alison’s brother Chris followed up later, arguing Folau’s controversial views made his position in the Super League untenable.

After Folau was signed by the Dragons, the Super League planed to implement measures to prevent any further such signings but the issue is clearly still highly sensitive.

Officials from several other clubs have been told not to publicly discuss Folau.

“Catalan have signed a known homophobe who cannot be registered to play rugby in Australia, and are now acting like this,” Chris Grey wrote.

“Action must be taken. It is unacceptable.”

Folau scores in Catalans debut

Folau scored a try with his first touch of the game and had French supporters on their feet every time he touched the ball in Perpignan.

Ten years after his rugby league career began in Australia he returned to the 13-a-side code as if he had never been away.

The world's media descended on Stade Gilbert Brutus but any attempt by Castleford to steal the headlines were thwarted as early as the second minute when former NRL star James Maloney found a gap for Sam Tomkins to stride under the posts.

Then Folau struck when he collected a high kick from Josh Drinkwater to touch down and Maloney's conversion made it 12-0 with just six minutes on the clock.

It was ultimately a happy debut for Folau, as Catalans claimed a 36-18 victory.