Of all the words written and said about Folau in recent weeks, I find a friend's Facebook comment to be the saddest. Rugby-Star Israel Folau postet vor einem Jahr homophobe Statements. Rugby Australia c'mon this is hate speech. Israel Folau says he is prepared to walk away from rugby and will put his religious beliefs first - as football stars (pictured right Afl player Gary Ablett) 'like' the post.

Folau is under contract until 2022, has won 73 caps and is a key part of Michael Cheika’s plans for the tournament in Japan.

While this has come to a head in the last couple of weeks, a look at his social media posts indicates that he has been expressing these views for about a year now. Israel Folau insists he will stand by his homophobic social media comments even if they threaten his future in rugby. Israel Folau's future in Australian rugby remains on tenterhooks. An Anglican bishop has called for Australian rugby union player Israel Folau to reconsider his religious statements, saying free speech "should not be used to vilify others". Australia's rugby union authorities have issued Israel Folau with a code of conduct breach notice over his controversial social media post which said "hell awaits" gay people. The content within the post is unacceptable,” the statement said. In the furore created by Israel Folau’s homophobic social media outburst, little to nothing has been heard from the population most affected by his comments, the gay rugby-playing community. To everyone who reads it, don’t be influenced by his words. I don’t write this with hate or anger after Israel Folau’s comments.I write with sympathy. Israel Folau's bigoted comments about our rainbow whānau and our transgender community are the opposite of peace-building. Israel Folau says he is prepared to walk away from rugby and will put his religious beliefs first - as football stars (pictured right Afl player Gary Ablett) 'like' the post. news.com.au November 30, 2019 2:51pm Video Rugby player Israel Folau has drawn anger for linking Australia's bushfire crisis to the nation's same-sex marriage and abortion laws. Recent comments by high profile Rugby player Israel Folau stating that hell awaits homosexuals (and others) have attracted a lot of media attention, including a wave of interest on social media. Israel Folau stands by sickening homophobic comments he posted on his Instagram Credit: Getty Images - Getty. Nun legt Folau mit einem weiteren Post nach - und greift noch mehr Menschen an. Israel Folau has moved to clarify what Prime Minister Scott Morrison called “appalling” comments linking bushfires to gay marriage. Israel Folau’s controversial comment on Instagram about gays. Although he will be universally slammed for his comments, Israel Folau has returned the debate surrounding the parameters of the freedom of religion to the forefront of our national conscience. Israel and Maria Folau’s comments have only served to reinforce for me that my decision to reject those distorted and distorting theologies was the right one. “Rugby Australia is aware of a post made by Israel Folau. Israel Folau's anti-gay comments 'very disappointing', Qantas says This article is more than 2 years old Wallabies sponsor says it backs Rugby Australia’s stance on tolerance and inclusion Der nationale Verband verwarnt ihn daraufhin. But Folau has not been perturbed by the backlash. Israel Folau claims his comments that tied same-sex marriage and abortion to Australia's bushfire crisis were not a direct message to the people affected - just a 'timely reminder'. International referee Nigel Owens, who came out as gay in 2007, said such comments could contribute to young people taking their own lives. Former Wales international and British and Irish Lions skipper Gareth Thomas, who came out as gay in 2009, responded to Folau's comments on Twitter. His comments go against Rugby Australia’s inclusion policy.