'The Australia that our Anzacs fought for seems to be disappearing before our very eyes. Nothing wrong with Israel, it’s the society and those who prosecute him who are sick.'
A three-person independent panel of chair John West QC, Rugby Australia representative Kate Eastman SC and the Rugby Union Players’ Association-appointed John Boultbee handed down the verdict and have now retired to decide on Folau’s sanction following an epic code of conduct hearing in Sydney.
“The Australia that our Anzacs fought for seems to be disappearing before our very eyes,” Jones said. “It prompts you to wonder what kind of society we’re living in.“But the cancer won’t kill us, it’s the cancer that will be removed, not Israel. The Australian people won’t accept this. “Rugby union preaches diversity — they really mean uniformity. They preach inclusion but they exclude Israel.
“The battle has just begun, and it’s a battle for all Australians. If we’re not free to articulate our religious beliefs and quote from the bible, and if we’re not free to speak for fear that someone affects a hurt or is part of the offence industry, if that’s where we’ve reached in this country, we’ve reached a dark place and we are all at risk.”The best punishment Folau can now hope for is a suspension and/or a fine.
Even before it potentially reaches the courts, the Folau hearing has developed into one of the most drawn-out legal stoushes in Australian sports history. The hearing stretched 22 hours over three days, with any hopes of a “common sense” settlement — as NSW Waratahs chairman Roger Davis had hoped for on Monday — blown out of the water by Tuesday night’s sensational development.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Alan Jones is the media watchdog's most-pinged broadcaster this decade'Loud-mouth bully': Alan Jones the most complained about broadcaster this decade | BroedeCarmody
Read more »
As Alan Jones' radio contract talks drag on, a new wrinkle emergesMacquarie Media has the option to review rival offers made to presenter Alan Jones as part of a last right of refusal term in the star talkback presenter’s multi-million dollar contract.
Read more »
Israel Folau scandal: Whatever happens now, Wallabies star will never play rugby in Australia againYears ago, Waratahs players would have taken a pay cut for Izzy. He has destroyed those bonds.
Read more »
Folau arrives at Rugby Australia headquarters for code of conduct hearingThe key players arrive for Israel Folau's much-anticipated code of conduct hearing.
Read more »
'A significant distraction': Gay rugby team condemns 'offensive' Israel Folau postAs Israel Folau's code of conduct hearing enters its third day, Australia's first gay and inclusive rugby union club is not letting the saga become a distraction.
Read more »
Israel: Errant Hamas rocket killed Gaza civilians, according to Israeli militaryThe Israeli military says an errant Palestinian rocket that misfired - not an Israeli air strike - caused the death of a pregnant Palestinian mother and her 14-month-old girl in the Gaza Strip. 9News
Read more »
Tragic message for Israel FolauThe first Australian NRL player to publicly come out as gay has issued an emotional message to Israel Folau as the Wallabies star fights to save his rugby career.
Read more »
Folau’s forced others into ‘bad position’As rugby superstar Israel Folau’s fate gets decided today, the fallout from his social media antics still runs deep.
Read more »
Legal hurdles on both sides: the Folau 'free speech' case explainedAs rugby star Israel Folau fights for both his career and his religious convictions this weekend, a senior lecturer in employment law lays out the arguments.
Read more »
'Might as well sack me': Israel Folau firestorm takes a dramatic twistRugby Australia is facing a potential Polynesian player mutiny after one of the Wallabies' most exciting prospects claimed all Pacific Islanders 'might as well just be sacked' because of their religious beliefs.
Read more »