News Folau case may send Rugby Australia broke.

[Flanagun]

Except being the idiot who brought the whole thing up to begin with. If she kept her mouth shut this wouldn't be a thing!

You’re tripping, dude.

Folau is the fool who started this. Nobody else is to blame. His faith did not require him to share what he shared and he had indicated in the past if his comments became a problem he would walk away. He’s a liar who doesn’t have the integrity to stay true to his own words and is he completely to blame for this mess.

If he never plays top level rugby or rugby league in Australia again, it’s his own fault.

 

[Flanagun]

With the exception of Qantas (who in my opinion is run by a hard left activist), I don't think RA stood to lose any money from Folau's twitter post.

I really doubt parents or fans would stop their kids playing or would have stopped going to games just because of some cyber comments.

I think Rugby Australia's bigger problem is the awful state of rugby competition in Australia and why 99% of Australian's dont give two shits about their national rugby team anymore.

Rugby Australia has direct communication with its sponsors and shareholders, man.... you do not. Don’t you think rugby Australia is in a better position to make that call?

A fair percentage of the general population is LGTBQI these days. I think it stands to reason that most CEOs with any common sense would have a problem with associating with a code which tolerates comments which could alienate a good percentage of its fan base.

 

[Flanagun]

72 hour window for appeal has now passed.

I should add to avoid confusion , he does, of course have the ability to take matters to Courr..

He’s probably decided to take it directly to court.... unless he’s had a sudden outbreak of integrity.

 

[Flanagun]

He’s probably decided to take it directly to court.... unless he’s had a sudden outbreak of integrity.

Or maybe he’s decided to forgo court in order to play mixed doubles with Margaret Court in a new breakaway fire and brimstone tennis league. I wonder what his forehand is like.

 

[Dawgfather]

Rugby Australia has direct communication with its sponsors and shareholders, man.... you do not. Don’t you think rugby Australia is in a better position to make that call?

A fair percentage of the general population is LGTBQI these days. I think it stands to reason that most CEOs with any common sense would have a problem with associating with a code which tolerates comments which could alienate a good percentage of its fan base.

Define 'fair'. I would say in the scheme of things that gays and transexuals probably make up less than a few % of Rugby's players/supporters/sponsors.

Are the same 'Community' of acronym people (LGBTQI) ok with Rugby associating directly with Qantas who have agreements with parts of the middle east who outlaw homosexuality and commit violent acts against them?

Folau hasn't hurt anyone, hasn't suggested anyone be hurt, and has actually said on multiple occassions that he loves people who he deems 'sinners'.

Geez sounds traumatic for these people when someone says they love them but considers what they're doing a sin.

 

[Mr Invisible]

GAME ON!!!

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-05-20/israel-folau-chooses-against-rugby-australia-appeal/11130320

“The last few weeks and, in particular, the last 72 hours have given me considerable opportunity to reflect and think about my future,” Folau said.
“I will not be exercising my right to appeal Rugby Australia’s decision to terminate my employment contract. My decision not to commence Rugby Australia’s appeal process is in no way an acceptance of the judicial panel’s findings. I simply do not have confidence in Rugby Australia’s ability to treat me fairly or lawfully throughout this process.”

Folau said he was considering his options "in the face of growing discontent with the way Rugby Australia has handled his code of conduct hearing".

"The messages of support from fans, players, former rugby administrators and the public have been humbling," he said. "I believe I still have a lot of rugby left in me and the potential impact of Rugby Australia's decision on my reputation and my career is substantial. Ultimately, I need to do what is best for my family, my teammates and the fans, so I am considering all potential avenues open to me."

Folau could seek to sue RA for breach of contract.

It's being reported that it's likely going though the courts with him challenging the validity of the panel to terminate his contract based on freedom to express himself.

I honestly believe if he takes this one through the courts (who can only rule on legality of things), that he will win. He didn't write what was in his post, he simply reposted the words of another that align with his faith.

This is going to cost RA a mint unless they try to settle out of court for what he wants (probably a complete contract payout).

 

[Flanagun]

Define 'fair'. I would say in the scheme of things that gays and transexuals probably make up less than a few % of Rugby's players/supporters/sponsors.

Are the same 'Community' of acronym people (LGBTQI) ok with Rugby associating directly with Qantas who have agreements with parts of the middle east who outlaw homosexuality and commit violent acts against them?

Folau hasn't hurt anyone, hasn't suggested anyone be hurt, and has actually said on multiple occassions that he loves people who he deems 'sinners'.

Geez sounds traumatic for these people when someone says they love them but considers what they're doing a sin.

Where do you get your idea only a few percent of rugby’s fans are gay or transsexual? Seems like blind guesswork based on an outdated stereotype that gay people don’t like footy to me.

I just don’t see how your guesswork stacks up against rugby Australia’s ability to hold actual discussions with its sponsors.

Average consumers probably don’t care as much about qantas flying to those countries because people are generally more offended by matters which directly confront their own beliefs and challenge their own perceived realities. It’s sad but true. The same reason many nationalists obsess about potential terror attacks and lament the perceived ruination of their countries by immigrants while turning a blind eye to the damage western military expansionism does to a number of other countries with borders that sit outside the lines of their perceived realities. People are shortsighted.

Your point about qantas flying to those countries does indicate that qantas is a business and more focused on its bottom line than what you consider its radical leftist agenda though. If it was a political organisation rather than a business, it probably would be more vocal about those countries. It is first and foremost a business looking to keep its customers happy. Just like Rugby Australia.

 

[Caveman]

GAME ON!!!

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-05-20/israel-folau-chooses-against-rugby-australia-appeal/11130320

“The last few weeks and, in particular, the last 72 hours have given me considerable opportunity to reflect and think about my future,” Folau said.
“I will not be exercising my right to appeal Rugby Australia’s decision to terminate my employment contract. My decision not to commence Rugby Australia’s appeal process is in no way an acceptance of the judicial panel’s findings. I simply do not have confidence in Rugby Australia’s ability to treat me fairly or lawfully throughout this process.”

Folau said he was considering his options "in the face of growing discontent with the way Rugby Australia has handled his code of conduct hearing".

"The messages of support from fans, players, former rugby administrators and the public have been humbling," he said. "I believe I still have a lot of rugby left in me and the potential impact of Rugby Australia's decision on my reputation and my career is substantial. Ultimately, I need to do what is best for my family, my teammates and the fans, so I am considering all potential avenues open to me."

Folau could seek to sue RA for breach of contract.

It's being reported that it's likely going though the courts with him challenging the validity of the panel to terminate his contract based on freedom to express himself.

I honestly believe if he takes this one through the courts (who can only rule on legality of things), that he will win. He didn't write what was in his post, he simply reposted the words of another that align with his faith.

This is going to cost RA a mint unless they try to settle out of court for what he wants (probably a complete contract payout).

I think he'd settle for a written and public apology, along with a reinstatement of career and a reimbursement of court costs....

But he has to win first ,like you said should be an open-and-shut case, but times are changing, and apparently so is the law.

 

[Mr Invisible]

I think he'd settle for a written and public apology, along with a reinstatement of career and a reimbursement of court costs....
But he has to win first ,like you said should be an open-and-shut case, but times are changing, and apparently so is the law.

From a logical legal standpoint, I don't think they really have a leg to stand on. It wasn't hate speech, it was just a stupid meme he reposted (which just happened to align with his personal beliefs). Can't sack someone for having a different opinion on something.

That's where I think RA are going to face a huge battle, one that could ultimately bankrupt them.

I mean if the case drags on, the cost of case goes up, and money brokers behind RA start to question "Why the frig are we spending so much money fighting this".

I feel Castles ego won't allow her to let this one go easily... assuming they don't sack her immediately from the role and try to offer Folau a peace offering.

 

[Hacky McAxe]

With the exception of Qantas (who in my opinion is run by a hard left activist), I don't think RA stood to lose any money from Folau's twitter post.

I really doubt parents or fans would stop their kids playing or would have stopped going to games just because of some cyber comments.

I think Rugby Australia's bigger problem is the awful state of rugby competition in Australia and why 99% of Australian's dont give two shits about their national rugby team anymore.

QANTAS is Rugby Australia's lead sponsor. If they pull out the sport collapses.

But it wasn't just them. Asics were planning to pull sponsorship and fans were boycotting the game.

Fact is if Rugby Australia did nothing then the sport wouldn't survive.

 

[Bob dog]

I agree with Ian Roberts about homophobia contributing to youth suicide, high profile athletes shouldn't put the boot in.

 

[Hacky McAxe]

I think he'd settle for a written and public apology, along with a reinstatement of career and a reimbursement of court costs....

But he has to win first ,like you said should be an open-and-shut case, but times are changing, and apparently so is the law.

From a logical legal standpoint, I don't think they really have a leg to stand on. It wasn't hate speech, it was just a stupid meme he reposted (which just happened to align with his personal beliefs). Can't sack someone for having a different opinion on something.

That's where I think RA are going to face a huge battle, one that could ultimately bankrupt them.

I mean if the case drags on, the cost of case goes up, and money brokers behind RA start to question "Why the frig are we spending so much money fighting this".

I feel Castles ego won't allow her to let this one go easily... assuming they don't sack her immediately from the role and try to offer Folau a peace offering.

You two could be right. But 3 Australian Senior Council/Queens Council lawyers all deemed that Rugby Australia were within their rights to sack Folau. One of those lawyers specialises on the law that you two are talking about and she considered it open and shut.

Also, Folau's complaint was that he thought he wouldn't get a fair shake from Rugby Australia. But the panel that judged him were independent. So it's not Rugby Australia that's judging him.

The judge will look at it like they do any case:

1) you were deemed to have breached contract by 3 of Australia's senior council

2) you chose not to appeal

Folau will enter the court on the back foot with a large chunk of evidence against him. It'll take a miracle for him to win.

My guess is that he won't contend it. He'll make a public announcement that Australia is evil and he hopes they repent then he'll retire.

 

[Realist90]

QANTAS is Rugby Australia's lead sponsor. If they pull out the sport collapses.

But it wasn't just them. Asics were planning to pull sponsorship and fans were boycotting the game.

Fact is if Rugby Australia did nothing then the sport wouldn't survive.

Qantas has a political agenda as well. Why is lefty politics accepted but not Christian references. I truly don’t understand that

 

[Realist90]

Israel Folau Is an absolute mad lad tbh not fighting the verdict. A true Christian showing by him. He knows he done nothing wrong and only said what he believes which many many people from the left do in sports with no repercussions. But he also knows that saying Christian things can mean he loses his job and it shows that he actually will sacrifice everything for what he believes. Not like a black guy protected and endorsed by everyone for taking a knee to which he sacrificed nothing and never everrrrr was at risk of losing his job.

 

[Hacky McAxe]

Qantas has a political agenda as well. Why is lefty politics accepted but not Christian references. I truly don’t understand that

Because Christians aren't paying Rugby Australia $20 million per year.

Maybe talk to the Vatican and see if they want to sponsor the sport.

 

[Hacky McAxe]

Israel Folau Is an absolute mad lad tbh not fighting the verdict. A true Christian showing by him. He knows he done nothing wrong and only said what he believes which many many people from the left do in sports with no repercussions. But he also knows that saying Christian things can mean he loses his job and it shows that he actually will sacrifice everything for what he believes. Not like a black guy protected and endorsed by everyone for taking a knee to which he sacrificed nothing and never everrrrr was at risk of losing his job.

Leave it to a Christian to pretend he's actually of the most tortured people alive.

 

[Realist90]

Leave it to a Christian to pretend he's actually of the most tortured people alive.

It’s braver for a Christian to speak his beliefs these days than a gay coming out saying his gay knowing he’ll be cheered for.

 

[Realist90]

Because Christians aren't paying Rugby Australia $20 million per year.

Maybe talk to the Vatican and see if they want to sponsor the sport.

So you’re essentially saying whoever pays the money, you’re ok with their agenda filling the sports even though politics should be out of sports? Ok then

 

[Hacky McAxe]

We should really start some kind of fund for the Christians. We should start a Christian charity appeal. We'll have a week dedicated to them in sport. Everyone will wear a cross on their slave and raise awareness about christians getting slightly offended about things.

 

[Hacky McAxe]

So you’re essentially saying whoever pays the money, you’re ok with their agenda filling the sports even though politics should be out of sports? Ok then

That's how modern capitalism works. I'm under no illusion. Sports are designed to make money. Sure at the lower level it's competition, but sports are mainly there for people to make money. That's why there's sponsorship, million dollar TV deals, ticket promotions, million dollar player deals.

Sport is about money and that's what this whole thing is about. Folau offended a major sponsor and a large number of fans. That results in a loss of money for the game so he loses his job.

Pure logistics.