Gary Ablett clarifies backflip over Israel Folau controversy

AFL star Gary Ablett has explained his position on Israel Folau’s controversial post after becoming embroiled in the scandal.

Geelong’s Ablett and Carlton player Matthew Kennedy were both spoken to by the AFL after ‘liking’ Folau’s homophobic religious post.

Speaking to 3AW Radio on Friday, AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan said both players had since ‘unliked’ the post, saying they didn’t fully understand what it was about.

“The thing to note about the two players is they both ‘unliked’ it,” McLachlan told Neil Mitchell.

“The feedback I’ve got is that those players have strong faith and it was almost an instinctive thing to like it without really understanding what that individual post was about.

The deeply religious Ablett posted a picture of a crucifix on Easter Saturday, accompanied by a biblical quote.

The Cats star followed that with a detailed message explaining why he intially liked and then unliked Folau’s post, while offering his own take on the controversy.

“There has been a lot of coverage about Israel Folau’s post this week. It saddens me and my family to see how the coverage of this story has played out,” Ablett said.

“I want to make it clear that I love ALL people regardless of race, religion, gender or sexuality.

“I have always admired how strong Izzy is in his faith, it is not easy to share faith in the public sphere, and this is why I initially ‘liked’ his post.

“I understand that liking this post appeared offensive and this is why I chose to remove my ‘like’ from the post.”

Folau’s code of conduct panellists named

The panel for Folau’s code of conduct hearing has been confirmed, with John West QC the chair.

Rugby Australia’s Kate Eastman SC and Rugby Union Players’ Association representative John Boultbee AM are the other panellists as Folau fights to save his career.

The three-time John Eales Medallist requested the hearing, expected to take place next week, after being issued with a “high level” breach of contract notice from RA following a series of homophobic social media posts.

Given there are Easter public holidays on Friday and next Monday then Anzac Day next Thursday, it seems unlikely Folau’s hearing will be conducted until the following week.

with AAP