Rugby Australia boss slams Israel Folau over 'inappropriate' cash plea
Rugby Australia boss Raelene Castle has slammed Israel Folau after the former Wallabies star caused outrage with his plea to the public for $3 million to help him fight Rugby Australia in court.
As of lunchtime on Friday, more than 6,500 Australians had committed to back his fight to be reinstated after pledging more the $500,000.
The sacked rugby star and committed Christian has vowed to "stand up for the word of God" in his legal fight, in what could be a landmark test of religious freedoms.
But his crowdfunding effort has divided opinion.
Despite the spike in donations, Folau's decision to take his fight to Go Fund Me has prompted a sharp backlash.
"From our perspective (Go Fund Me) is a place where sick children get support, so it's certainly not a strategy we think is appropriate," Rugby Australia chief executive Raelene Castle told Nine News.
Sydney Independent state MP Alex Greenwich urged people to donate to World Vision's campaign to end child slavery instead.
"If you are truely interested in supporting a Christian cause ... do not donate to the #Folau fund," he posted on Twitter.
If you are truely interested in supporting a Christian cause, promoting freedom, protecting kids & workers from exploitation, do not donate to the #Folau Fund. Support World Vision’s work on child slavery $3 Million would save the thousands of lives https://t.co/uJpdSvk2o4
— Alex Greenwich MP (@AlexGreenwich) June 20, 2019
Folau’s GoFundMe page has become the website’s ‘Top Fundraiser’, earning more money than a number of appeals for sick children.
Former Wallabies teammate Drew Mitchell was left incensed by that fact, slamming Folau for his ‘greed’.
“YOU think YOU deserve donations more than they do??!!” he wrote on Twitter.
YOU are in a fight that YOU chose to be in after YOU broke the terms of YOUR contract, the kids below are in a fight they NEVER wanted to be in & yet YOU think YOU deserve donations more than they do??!!
It’s no longer about religion, it’s about YOU and YOUR greed.@IzzyFolau 🤦🏼♂️ pic.twitter.com/mdywzaw1ha— Drew Mitchell (@drew_mitchell) June 21, 2019
Folau’s plea was labelled ‘shameless’ and ‘disgusting’ on social media, among other things.
In a matter of hours Israel Folau’s Go Fund Me has rocketed to top fundraising list with a tally almost more than the other top 4 combined. And those are for sick children or people fighting for life not a multi million dollar payout. #priorities #disgraceful pic.twitter.com/hm9cuiMQm7
— Todd Balym (@balymt) June 21, 2019
This is just so offensive. People out there can’t pay their medical bills, fees their kids, afford a place to rest their head at night, and he’s begging for money. Might want to go back to reading that bible mate and see what it says... https://t.co/BzUM8Su10F
— Jodie Hawkins (@JodesHawko) June 20, 2019
Others were gobsmacked that Folau needed to ask the public for money when he’s surely earned enough over his career to cover himself.
Folau: "Could you make a donation, within your capacity to give, in order to support my action? I have the fight of my life on my hands and every little bit will help"
also Folau: pic.twitter.com/GhUpwkYJXF— Josh Butler (@JoshButler) June 20, 2019
So...where did Israel Folau's millions of dollars from earnings in three codes, including representative bonuses, numerous sponsorship and endorsement deals, in a career spanning 12 years go? He's seriously saying he can't afford legal costs? Get real.
— Melanie Dinjaski (@MelanieDinjaski) June 21, 2019
Is Israel Folau kidding? Here's a bloke who jumped form sport to sport looking for the biggest paycheck and now wants fans to bankroll his efforts to make people feel shit about themselves. Piss off mate. #IsraelFolau
— Luke Dufficy (@luke_dufficy) June 21, 2019
This is quite the disclaimer on Folau's GoFundMe grab for cash. pic.twitter.com/2tL6LEcOli
— Dave Meddows (@davemeddows) June 20, 2019
Will Folau pay back all the people who donate if he wins millions?
— Janine Perrett (@PerrettReport) June 20, 2019
Imagine earning as much money as Israel Folau and then asking for handouts.
— Mitchell Vladamotte (@Slacko_Mitch) June 20, 2019
Use your own money Folau, people who donate will not get their money back and if he wins he will be $10 MILLION richer. What a con job, he is supposed to be a religious man and he behaves this way, disgusting. You have been fooled.
— Pat Hall (@PatsPat) June 21, 2019
If I donated anything to support court action in this disgusting disgraceful #Folau matter it would be to #RugbyAustralia - for standing up for values of justice, morality & humanity. https://t.co/RAlMqgXmA4
— Hinton Lowe💧 (@hilojo) June 20, 2019
Folau is wealthy enough to have a Lamborghini... but he wants the public to pay his legal fees rather than use his own money ? 🤷♀️ why donate to kids dying of cancer when you can make sure Folau can afford his next Lamborghini upgrade by paying his legal fees
— Nikki (@Easts4Life) June 21, 2019
Fellow former Wallaby Matt Burke was shocked by the development.
"No, I would not be contributing," Burke said on the Big Sports Breakfast radio program.
"Nothing surprises me at the moment as to what he trying to do.
"I bet you he will get plenty of contributions from this appeal. He’s not short a quid, maybe do it yourself [Israel]."
GoFundMe has been contacted for comment.
‘Every little bit will help’
However former Australian Christian Lobby chief Lyle Shelton defended Folau, saying "if Israel loses, we all do".
Folau's $5 million RA contract was terminated in May after a post he made on social media citing the Bible was deemed homophobic. It followed a similar incident last year.
He had uploaded an image to Instagram which stated drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolaters would go to hell.
Folau has launched legal proceedings with the Fair Work Commission against Rugby Australia and is seeking up to $10 million in damages.
"I believe that sharing the Bible is an act of love and compassion," Folau said on GoFundMe.
"I do not believe that it is fair or right that I be punished for my religious beliefs."
Asked on Sydney radio 2GB if RA had a social media clause in his contract that would have prohibited him from speaking about his faith, Folau said "no, absolutely not".
After the first incident in 2018, Folau said he was counselled by RA that while he could share his religious beliefs, he should "do it in a more respectful way".
He believes he has done that while standing "up for the word of God".
"I'm always about sharing that from a place of love and believing in the Bible that people ... have the opportunity to hear that, so they do repent if they choose to and turn away from [sin] and have an opportunity to be in heaven one day," he told 2GB.
Folau says he and wife Maria, an international netball player, have already spent more than $100,000 dealing with RA's internal tribunal processes.
"I believe the termination of my contract is unlawful, which is why I have started legal proceedings against Rugby Australia and Rugby NSW," Folau said.
"In response, Rugby Australia have already said that they will 'divert significant resources' to fight me in court.
"Even if I win, Rugby Australia can appeal. There is every chance that a prominent test case like this could take years and eventually end up in the High Court of Australia.
"I have the fight of my life on my hands and every little bit will help.”
with AAP
