Israel Folau refused to back down in disciplinary hearing as he would have been doing ‘Satan’s work’

‘The way Satan works is he offers you stuff that could look good to the eye and makes you feel comfortable, and if you go down that path all the worries and troubles will go away’

Jack de Menezes
Monday 13 May 2019 12:34 BST
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Australian MP defends Israel Folau's social media post, despite having not seen it

Israel Folau decided not to back down in his contract hearing with Rugby Australia over homophobic and offensive comments that he made on social media as by doing so he would be doing “Satan’s work”.

Folau is awaiting his punishment after being found guilty of a high-level breach of the professional players’ code of conduct, with RA’s intention to terminate his contract with immediate effect.

The 30-year-old, widely regarded as one of the best players in the world, faced a three-day hearing after posting his latest offensive comments on social media, having said on Instagram that “hell awaits” for “drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolators”.

The incident was the latest in a series of remarks that Folau made on social media based on his Christian beliefs, having previously claim that gay people will go to hell unless they repent for their sins.

And the 73-cap Australia international, who stands to miss this year’s Rugby World Cupm told his church congregation in Sydney on Sunday that he was not prepared to back-track for "material" comforts just in an effort to save his rugby union career.

"There have been many opportunities to potentially make the situation a little bit easier," Folau said.

"I could go back and play the game, get everything back to the way it used to be.

"The way Satan works is he offers you stuff that could look good to the eye and makes you feel comfortable, and if you go down that path all the worries and troubles will go away.

"It is always the will of God that comes first."

Sydney’s Daily Telegraph reported last week that Folau had rejected a A$1m (£535,000) settlement to walk away from his contract, worth around A$4m over four years, and he is awaiting his sanction after the disciplinary panel received further submissions. Folau retains the right to appeal.

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