'Completely untrue': Rugby Australia slams explosive Israel Folau allegation
Rugby Australia has hit back at claims from Israel Folau they offered him money to remove his controversial social media post.
In an interview with Alan Jones on Sky News on Thursday night, Folau said RA had offered him money to remove the post that caused the issue, but declined to do so as sharing the bible was part of his duty as a Christian.
"I couldn't do that as a person that's convicted by my faith. I couldn't live with that," Folau said.
"It certainly comes from a place of love and it's nothing personal."
However RA hit back straight away, saying Folau's claim was "completely untrue" and they had never offered him money to remove the posts.
Folau demands apology
The Ex-Wallaby said he’s hoping RA will admit it was wrong to terminate his contract and apologise for doing so when his lawyers meet with those from the game's governing body.
"I'm hopeful for an apology from them and admission that they were wrong," Folau told Sky News.
"That would be something that I would like to get."
Representatives for the two parties will convene at the Fair Work Commission on Friday for the next step in his unfair dismissal case.
RA sacked Folau after taking issue with a social media post by the committed Christian in April that was condemned as homophobic.
Folau had paraphrased a Bible passage saying "drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolaters" would go to hell unless they repented.
.@IzzyFolau on @RugbyAU offering him money to remove his controversial post: I felt I was backed in a corner … and agree to what they were asking … My faith to me is what’s most important.
Watch Israel Folau's full interview from #Jonesandco at https://t.co/3q55c8u0ua pic.twitter.com/ELInoolcGk— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) June 27, 2019
He argues he was unfairly dismissed on religious grounds.
Folau is seeking $10 million in damages from RA and wants his multimillion-dollar contract reinstated after it was pulled by the association.
The ex-player said he understood how people could be hurt by what he posted.
"I can certainly see it from both sides," Folau said.
"If I had a child that was a drug addict, I would certainly still love my child without anything attached to that."
The meeting comes as a campaign to raise funds to support Folau's case has been "paused" after donations topped $2 million.
The Australian Christian Lobby, which set up the fundraiser on its website, said the flow of donations since it was opened on Tuesday had been overwhelming.
More than 20,000 people had donated more than $2.2 million by Thursday.
The ACL effort replaced an earlier campaign on GoFundMe that was taken down by the platform for breaching its service guidelines.
.@IzzyFolau: I’m hopeful for an apology from them, and an admission they were wrong … I’m extremely proud to have represented my country, it’s truly an honour.
Watch Israel Folau's full interview from #Jonesandco at https://t.co/3q55c8u0ua pic.twitter.com/mGjJzWTMJv— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) June 27, 2019
with AAP