'Must be a criminal': Anger over new drama in Israel Folau scandal

Alan Jones has led the condemnation after rugby league officials shot down Israel Folau’s planned foray back into the 13-man game.

On Monday, Tongan rugby league officials claimed Folau has been cleared to make a sensational return and play for the Mate Ma'a in their end-of-year Tests against Great Britain and Australia.

Folau and new Tonga coach Frank Endacott even claimed in a statement that the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) had given the green light to a comeback.

But the RLIF have since dismissed the TNRL's claim, saying they had not been formally asked to consider dual international Folau's return.

"The Rugby League International Federation is aware of a media release issued by Tonga National Rugby League stating that Israel Folau has been 'approved' by the RLIF to represent Tonga in international matches," it said in a statement.

"That statement is incorrect. The RLIF has not been formally asked to consider this matter.

"The RLIF will not be commenting further on this situation at this stage."

RLIF deputy chairman and ARLC chairman Peter Beattie earlier cast doubt over Folau's return, saying the move hadn't been mentioned by the international body.

However Jones - one of Folau’s most high-profile supporters - has questioned any move to block Folau.

“They’re trying to stop Israel Folau playing for Tonga,” Jones said on 2GB on Tuesday.

“Any person in any form of administration is trying to stop him playing. He must be some kind of criminal, is he? What has Israel done except profess his Christian faith?”

Others on social media also questioned why the NRL has given second chances to other players who have committed crimes much worse than Folau.

Why Folau might be blocked

"The RLIF has made no decision in relation to any registration request for Israel Folau," Beattie told AAP on Monday night.

"As a current member and deputy chair of the RLIF board, (as the ARLC representative), I can assure you that this has never been discussed or mentioned around the board table."

Beattie had previously shut the door on an attempt by Folau to return to the NRL.

It ensures Folau can't play for Tonga in next month's World Cup Nines which is run by the NRL.

And Beattie, along with NRL CEO Todd Greenberg - who is also on the international body's board - are set to stand in the way of Folau playing for Tonga in this year's Tests if the RLIF put his return to a vote.

Beattie said back in June that former Brisbane and Melbourne NRL star Folau would not be welcomed back to league due to his controversial social media posts that landed him in hot water with Rugby Australia.

Four months ago Folau's lucrative contract with Rugby Australia was controversially terminated for breaching its code of conduct.

Folau, 30, was deemed guilty of breaching the code over his social media posts which claimed homosexuals are going to hell.

However, it seems Folau is now attempting a comeback via Tonga, claiming in the Facebook statement that he had been cleared to play Great Britain in Hamilton on October 26 and the Kangaroos in Auckland on November 2.

"I'm so grateful to have the opportunity to represent God, my family, my heritage and the people of Tonga," Folau said.

"I am thankful that the RLIF have accepted my availability to play."

The Folau situation adds another twist to the controversy already swirling around Tongan rugby league.

The TNRL are in the midst of a bitter dispute between their board and a number of NRL stars, led by Jason Taumalolo and Andrew Fifita.

Over a dozen players have threatened to boycott the Test matches unless TNRL chairman George Koloamatangi and secretary Williams Edwards stand down after coach Kristian Woolf was sacked.

with AAP