Israel Folau’s planned return to rugby league has taken an unexpected turn as his billionaire benefactor Clive Palmer threatens to sue the Queensland League for discrimination.
The Queensland Rugby League revealed on Wednesday that Folau would only be registered to play for the South Port Tigers in the Gold Coast once he’s released from his contract with French club Catalan Dragons.
The Catalans confirmed Folau was still a contracted player until late November, although Palmer insisted the arrangement was ‘repudiated’, the Daily Telegraph reported.
The QRL said Israel Folau (pictured) would only be registered to play for the South Port Tigers after contract with Catalans ends
Israel Folau’s rugby return sours as billionaire Clive Palmer (pictured) threatens to sue the QRL for religious discrimination
The QRL said it was following competition guidelines by not allowing Folau to be registered with a new club while still under contract with another, but Palmer believes it is another instance of the former Wallabies star being unfairly discriminated against based on his religious beliefs.
Sam Iskander from Alexander Law said Folau’s 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.
‘The QRL is not a party to it and has no rights under it. Likewise, the QRL has no right to discriminate against a player or seek to disadvantage such a player.’
Folau (pictured) has been trying to return to the NRL in recent months after the St George Illawarra Dragons withdrew its application to sign the former footy star
The Catalans confirmed Folau was still a contracted player until late November after Palmer insisted the arrangement was ‘repudiated’ (pictured: Folau and Palmer at a press conference)
Israel Folau (pictured right) attends The Southport Tigers Training with Clive Palmer (pictured left)
‘We do not understand why Israel is being treated differently to any other player seeking registration in the QRL by placing conditions on him which have not been placed on any other player seeking registration from the Southport Tigers. We can only conclude it is because of his religious beliefs,’ he said.
Mr Iskander said Folau will be claiming damages from the QRL and its board members ‘ who has discriminated against him by denying him lawful rights.’
Folau has been trying to return to the NRL in recent months after the St George Illawarra Dragons withdrew its application to sign the former footy star amid pressure from sponsors.
He was sacked by Rugby Australia in 2019 over a social media post that said ‘hell awaits drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolators’.
Israel Folau (pictured left) is set to return to rugby league with the backing of billionaire Clive Palmer
Folau (pictured, right) will be claiming damages from the QRL and its board members ‘ who has discriminated against him by denying him lawful rights’
Folau (pictured, centre) was sacked by Rugby Australia in 2019 over a social media post that said ‘hell awaits drunks, homosexuals, adulterers’ (pictured: Clive Palmer, Israel Folau and Tony Williams at Owen Park)
The former Wallabies star sued Rugby Australia demanding $14million in compensation and was granted an undisclosed sum, reportedly in seven figures.
The QRL made it clear Folau’s controversial social media posts do not align with their beliefs and that, if he was signed, any breach of the code of conduct could lead to suspension, or the cancellation of his registration.
‘While the QRL acknowledges the differing views in relation to this application, the league is astounded that public commentary has included threats of protracted legal action should registration not be granted,’ a QRL statement read.
‘As a not-for-profit organisation, the QRL’s objectives are to foster and develop the game in Queensland, and to generally take action that is considered to be in the best interests of rugby league in Queensland.’
The QRL board said, on receipt of international clearance, that Folau will be ‘granted permission to register for the Southport Tigers at a community rugby league level and no higher’.
Another condition for registration was confirmation Folau had read and understood his obligations as a player under the QRL rules and community code of conduct.
Another condition for registration was confirmation Folau (pictured) had read and understood his obligations as a player under the QRL rules and community code of conduct
Folau (pictured right) was sacked by Rugby Australia in 2019 over homophobic social media posts
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