Gay referee drops massive truth bomb in Israel Folau scandal
Veteran rugby official Nigel Owens says Rugby Australia acted “the only way they could” in handling the Israel Folau controversy.
The popular Welsh referee, 47, came out as gay in 2007.
In an interview on Sky Sports News, Owens said the whole saga was a “sorry state”, but that the right course of action had been followed.
“Rugby is an inclusive sport. It’s inclusive for all shapes and sizes, for whatever the colour of your skin is, for whatever your religious beliefs are or whatever your sexual orientation,” Owens said.
“Rugby is quite clear there is a place for everybody in the sport and rightly so.
“It is a sorry state but I think Rugby Australia acted in the only way that they could.
“And they have sent a clear message to people that ‘look, we respect you are different, you have your different beliefs and that’s fine and there’s a place for you in rugby but there is a line that you do not cross when you portray those beliefs as outspokenly as he has done.”
Folau’s sacking and Owens’ interview coincided with the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia on Friday.
Owens said there was potential for Folau’s words to have serious consequences for those grappling with their sexuality.
“When people do say these hateful words like that — that you’re going to go to hell because you are different to them because of your sexuality, then that causes a lot of hurt,” he said.
“And young people going through that difficult time in their lives when they do hear languages like that from anybody — but particularly from somebody in a position of influence like that — it can really do a lot of damage and cause a lot of hurt.”
When Owens came out in 2007, he revealed his own battle with his sexuality had led him to the brink of suicide.
In an interview with Wales Online in 2007, Owens revealed just how difficult it had been to align his sporting passion and his sexuality.
"It's such a big taboo to be gay in my line of work, I had to think very hard about it because I didn't want to jeopardise my career," he said.
"Coming out was very difficult and I tried to live with who I really was for years," he added.
"I knew I was 'different' from my late teens, but I was just living a lie."
