Qantas may drop Wallabies sponsorship over Israel Folau’s homophobic comments

Qantas may drop Wallabies sponsorship over Israel Folau’s homophobic comments
Image: Image: Israel Folau / Instagram.

Rugby Australia’s major sponsor has come under pressure to end its association with the Wallabies over player Israel Folau’s anti-gay comments.

Folau on Wednesday commented on social media that God’s plan for gay people was “hell… unless they repent of their sins”.

The fullback’s post caused outrage and has since been deleted.

Rugby Australia CEO Raelene Castle and Waratahs CEO Andrew Hore are to meet with Folau to discuss his social media use, The Queensland Times has reported.

This is the second time Folau has caused upset with anti-gay comments on social media, after he last year announced his opposition to marriage equality.

“I love and respect all people for who they are and their opinions but personally, I will not support gay marriage,” he tweeted during the marriage equality debate.

Castle said the matter would be treated seriously by Rugby Australia and NSW Rugby.

“We understand that Israel’s comment has upset a number of people and we will discuss the matter with him as soon as possible,” she said.

Rugby Australia rushed to distance itself from the remark, stating yesterday that “Folau’s personal beliefs do not reflect the views of Rugby Australia”.

“Rugby supports all kinds of inclusion, whether it’s sexuality, race or gender, which is set out in our inclusion policy,” said the governing body in a statement.

Social media users suggested Qantas, an organisation prominently in favour of LGBTI equality, reconsider its sponsorship of Rugby Australia and by association Folau.

Qantas also quickly distanced itself from Folau’s homophobic sentiment.

“As a sponsor of Rugby Australia, we’re supportive of their approach towards tolerance and inclusion, which aligns with our own,” said a spokesperson.

The airline is reportedly considering pulling its sponsorship if Folau makes further public homophobic remarks, according to The Australian.

“We’ve made clear to Rugby Australia that we find the comments very disappointing,” said a spokesperson.

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19 responses to “Qantas may drop Wallabies sponsorship over Israel Folau’s homophobic comments”

  1. Again a company who cannot stand by their word…I found the remark distressing, and the response by Quantas,a lazy one,..Sporing bodies seem to be like religious leaders, politicians, free to say and do what they want. If that was in the workplace he would be reprimanded

  2. If that is his opinion and his belief then hes entitled to it and to speack it. People who believe otherwise are voicing their opinions without getting this attack. Just because a law was passed by man to make something legal does not mean that the right to an opinion or belief has to be changed or make it true. If you believe the Bible as I do, is the word of God then this is the opinion that one would have. Although I believe that the word hell means grave so therefore one will go to their grave not to be risen at the return of Christ. And this people is my opinion and I’m entitled to believe it and speak it just as you are to yours.

    • Yep, he has his freedom of speech, exhibit A he hasn’t been arrested and locked up as would happen in a country without free speech. But free speech is not the same as inconsequential speech. Qantas as a private sector company has its freedom to withdraw its sponsorship money, surely you respect that freedom too? And Qantas customers and shareholders have their freedom to hold the company to account, surely you respect that freedom too.

      And that’s all that’s happened. So what’s your problem? Why pretend Folau is a victim? If he doesn’t want consequences he needs to stop telling people they are going to hell for being themselves because it turns out folks don’t really appreciate that as much as you seem to think.

  3. What a load of crap.
    If Qantas and Rugby Australia are truely inclusive of ALL, then that includes people who completely believe everything written in the Bible. He was asked a question and he responded with what he honestly believes by quoting the Bible. Perhaps you should spend your time by lobbying the church to change the Bible?
    If he had a problem with playing with specific individuals because of their sexual preference, then that would be an issue. But that does not appear to be the case.
    Why is his response any different to Tony Abbott’s views. I don’t see anybody trying to force him out of politics because of his opinions.
    What a load of crap.

    • The bible instructs its followers to not judge others lest they be judged. That’s all that’s happened here. It’s basically the centrepoint of Christianity. That and turning the other cheek.

      Who isn’t following the words of the bible? Not the ARU, nor Qantas, nor those of us who dislike Folau’s rush to (as it turns out, very un-Christian) judgement.

      Just you.

  4. It is hard for me to say this as an avid wallabies supporter, grandson of a wallaby captain and ex rugby player myself, but i would rather loose to the all blacks for the rest of eternity then have to Barack for a side with a homophobic, uneducated player and so called roll model speaking his outdated opinions and forsing his opinions onto others. Please ARU stand up for what is right and remove him from the team so we can move forward as a country.

  5. You’re right Dave. Israel needs to be reined in. He is single handedly ripping up the LGBT inclusiveness stand of Rugby Australia. Captain Hooper backing Folau just compounds the issue.

  6. People Like Him should hang there Head in shame. because it is Homophobia stuff and that is just not on here in Australia. he should be the one that should be going to Hell not gay people .

    go to Hell Folau !!!!!!!!!!!

  7. I think it more a case of people getting a life and the media stopping their blowing the situation out of proportion.
    Who really cares what he said, thats half the problem with the world that we have lost touch with real issues and are led on by the media.
    His opinion means nothing.
    If he went out and beat up 20 gay people with a stick then so be it, he should be punished . Are we as a society so thin skinned.

  8. Homophobia meets religious freedom and free speech. He has repeated what millions of priests , and ministers have said.

    Surely its possible to hold different views wihout co-opting a mafia style protection racket from a corporate icon.

    He hasn’t inflicted bodily harm on any gay person. Qantas is way out of line here.

  9. Free speech my rear end, it is the end of free speech.

    I have been hurt by many comments posted by Gay people, my opinions and feelings are mine as to those who support.

    For the Gay community always to cry foul if someone disagrees with their view is hypocritical, I do not fear you therefore I have no phobia, I respect your view now respect mine.

    • You have no idea what free speech is. Free speech is the freedom to speak your mind without being prosecuted or imprisoned by the government. Neither has happened to Folau! Free speech is a winner, it’s alive and well in Australia.

      You aren’t asking for free speech. You are asking for inconsequential speech. Izzy can bag out the gays all he wants and no one touches his precious private sector sponsorships is what you want. It’s never been a thing, let alone a right, unless you are a complete fool. You want Folau to say what he wants but you want gay people to shut the fuck up because that’s not free speech? Who is really in favour of free speech here? Not you.

      Learn what rights are before you lecture others. Here’s a hint – they also have consequences and therefore responsibilities.

  10. Qantas is demanding that everyone else be tolerant of their pro-gay politics, while QANTAS has zero tolerance for certain religious beliefs. QANTAS is one of the most intolerant companies in Australia.

    Also how is what Folau said homophobic or even controversial?

    If QANTAS and other groups were not so bigoted then perhaps they would be aware that Christians consider some things to be sinful and that unless one repents for these sins one’s sole will end up in hell. This is fairly fundamental to Christianity which has been around for 2,000 years. You have to be a major bigot to live in Australia and not know this.

    I’m not a Christian so I don’t know what the list of sins are but evidently it’s fairly common to consider being gay as on this list. You have to be willfully ignorant or just an extreme bigot to be unaware of this.

    Plus how could you be offended if, like me, you don’t believe in hell anyway? It’s like saying gays are destined for Narnia. Does QANTAS believe in hell? If not, then where is the offense?

    Please direct me to where a Christian church teaches hate towards sinners? My understanding is that they welcome sinnes. Kinda fundamental to their religion in fact. In fact., I think they consider almost their entire 2 billion strong congregation to be sinners.

    Or please direct me to where Folau expressed hatred towards sinners?

    Or please direct me to where Folau expressed hatred towards gays?

    QANTAS et al are simply intolerant bigots.
    Rugby would be better without such a bigoted, intolerant corporate sponsor frankly.

    This threat by QANTAS is putting the QANTAS brand into disrepute and whoever is responsible for it should be fired.

    I’m also disappointed with the ARUs lack of leadership. They should be sicking up for their own player’s right to express his personal religious beliefs. It seems only the Wallabies captain has any leadership skills.

    • Well I agree with you on two points – Qantas should stop sponsoring the ARU and Folau, and the Folau should get the ARU right out of his life so he can focus on his important announcements about the gays. I agree with you that those would both be great outcomes here.

      Israel Folau on the other hand thinks you’re an idiot for saying these things.

  11. Same penalty as the Australian Cricketers. Your tears mean so little so additional penalty. You shower with guys – you homophobic parasite! Fine it, ban it – punish it!

  12. It’s not his first homophobic comment ! How many does his team and association allow him before they take action ?

  13. Is Folau in the closet,or what? He seems to have a lot to say about gays,instead of keeping his mouth shut.Probably more to this story,perhaps? He’s not such a great sportsman so why would he bring attention to himself?Congratulations QANTAS ,but go all the way and dump them.There’s too much anti gay stuff floating around on the media. Time to put a stop to it and make an example

  14. I am a Christian to Folau but I don’t go around saying that hetrosexual people should rot in hell. You are a disgrace! Qantas dump the NRL now! This kind of totally inappropriate comment from an illiterate uneducated toxic loudmouth, commenting in the name of “free” speech, needs to be called for what it is – complete disrespect of the community in which he is a member.

  15. It’s a classic case of speech being free, but not inconsequential. Folau has his freedom of speech, Qantas has its freedom to determine where it puts its sponsorship dollar.

    I’d have liked to see real action from Qantas though, not just a threat about next time. In a world where cricketers lose millions in endorsements for being aware of a relatively minor (in cricket’s rules) attempt to cheat a bit, Folau should have been punished more for his damaging and unnecessary comments.