'I don't say this lightly': Roberts' emotional message to Israel Folau

Rugby league great and gay trailblazer Ian Roberts has discussed the potential impact of Israel Folau’s social media posts in an emotional message to the Wallabies star on Sunday.

Roberts, who in 1994 became the first elite Australian footballer to come out as gay, appeared on Channel Nine’s Sunday Footy Show and opened up about the impact of the Folau saga.

Folau is currently taking part in a landmark code of conduct hearing after Rugby Australia issued him with a breach notice for his controversial social media posts that claimed gay people would go to hell.

Roberts said while he felt sorry for Folau, he needed to be aware how his actions could have an impact on young kids.

“I do feel sorry for Israel, but there are consequences to your actions; and reactions,” Roberts told the panel.

“I don’t say this lightly, what I’m about to say. The language is hard and it’s for a point, to get that message across: there are literally kids in the suburbs killing themselves.

“I say that with the greatest sense of respect and I’m not implying that Israel’s responsible solely for that; please don’t take it that way.

“But it’s these types of these comments and these off-the-cuff remarks … when you have young people and vulnerable people, kids in the suburbs who are dealing with their sexuality, confused, not knowing how to deal with it … these types of remarks can and do push people over the edge.”

Hearing continues

Folau returned to Rugby Australia (RA) headquarters on Sunday morning with his legal team set to continue arguing his case against having his four-year, $4 million, contract torn up.

The dual international reportedly rejected a $1 million offer to walk away before the hearing began on Saturday after RA chief executive Raelene Castle hit Folau with a “high-level” breach notice last month.

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