Israel Folau - a humble martyr for his faith and a flag-bearer for freedom of speech? Horsesh*t, writes Joe_Hildebrand.
Israel Folau with his wife Maria in Melbourne on the day they settled with Rugby Australia. Picture: Aaron FrancisWhen he was first asked by Rugby Australia to remove his inflammatory Instagram post he refused, so staunch were his spiritual convictions. In both word and deed he declared that his faith was more important than his football career and he was prepared to walk away from fame and fortune rather than compromise his beliefs.
And so after making a big song and dance about being willing to forsake his brilliant football career and all the gold and glory that came with it, he decided that he’d actually still like the money thanks very much and sued a punch-drunk Rugby Australia for an eye-watering $14 million – a figure pumped up to the rafters by the humble Folau’s conviction that he was a sure bet to become captain of the Wallabies and rake in those big sponsorship bucks once more.
Indeed, if Folau had any genuine interest in protecting freedom of religion or freedom of speech for anyone other than himself, he would have insisted the matter go to open court so these issues could finally be settled by law. Instead, yet again, he took the money and ran. How else could you possibly explain the nonsensical ramblings of CEO Raelene Castle in the aftermath of the fiasco.
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