Israel Folau is taking legal action against the Queensland Rugby League (QRL) on the grounds of discrimination following the sporting body’s decision not to register the dual international.
Key points:
- The QRL said on Wednesday it would not register Folau to play in a local Gold Coast competition
- Folau’s laywer claims the QRL denied his client “the opportunity to practice his profession”
- Folau has not played in Australia since Rugby Australia contract was temrinated in 2019
The QRL announced on Wednesday it would not register Folau in his bid to play for the Southport Tigers on the Gold Coast as it had not received confirmation he had been released from his existing playing contract with French club Catalans Dragons.
Folau was unveiled as the latest signing for the Tigers last Friday, with the club’s main sponsor Clive Palmer saying he hoped the 32-year-old would be free to play against Burleigh Bears on May 29.
Folau’s lawyer, Sam Iskander from Brisbane law firm Alexander Law, said his client had been denied “the opportunity to practice his profession”.
“All Israel Folau wants to do is play football and be treated like any other person,” Mr Iskander said in a statement.
“His application for registration with the QRL is being dealt with differently to anyone else who has ever sought registration for the Southport Tigers.
“Mr Folau’s now repudiated contract agreement with Catalans has nothing to do with the QRL.”
Mr Iskander said Folau was a victim of discrimination.
“The QRL has no right to discriminate against a player or seek to disadvantage such a player,” he said.
“Never before have we seen a QRL condition put on a player where the player has to give up representative honours and selection. They are also seeking a condition that my client can only play for the Southport Tigers.
“The QRL is effectively seeking to destroy Israel’s professional aspirations. Why is this being done to Israel Folau?”
Reuters: Toby Melville
)Folau has not played in Australia since seeing his Rugby Australia (RA) contract terminated in 2019 after he refused to take down a controversial social media post in which he said “hell awaits” gay people.
He reached an out-of-court settlement with RA before moving to France to play rugby league in the Super League with Catalans.
“The QRL acknowledge that previous social media comments made by Folau, whilst not a registered participant in rugby league at the time, do not align to the beliefs of the game, or the QRL,” A QRL statement read.
“Any breach of the code of conduct could lead to suspension, or the cancellation of the player’s registration, as it would for any other player.”
