'We’d have no sponsors': Rugby chairman hits out at Israel Folau
Rugby Australia chairman Cameron Clyne says sponsors would have abandoned the code if Israel Folau remained employed.
Folau is taking his former employers to court, meeting at the Fair Work Commission on Friday for mediation before court processes begin.
Clyne accused Folau of misrepresenting the facts in an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald, taking aim at what he called ‘softball’ interviews with favoured journalists.
He said the alternative to the court battle - shutting down the sport entirely - was clearly a worse outcome than a protracted court battle, citing pressure from corporate sponsors and various levels of government to keep the game alive.
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“[Alternatively] we’d have no sponsors at all because no sponsor has indicated they would be willing to be associated with social media posts of that sort and that includes government, because we’ve also heard from them,” Clyne said.
“We would also potentially be in litigation with employees who are gay and who would say we’re not providing a workplace that is safe or respectful.”
Folau has been consistent in his demand for an apology from Rugby Australia, and is also seeking $10 million in damages.
Settlement negotiations reportedly broke down on Friday, with the axed star set to lodge an unlawful termination claim in the Federal Court.
Clyne also once again mentioned Folau’s statement from last year, in which he vowed to walk away from rugby if his religious views got to the point where they were damaging the game.
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He also said he “didn’t understand” why Folau was expecting an apology from Rugby Australia.
“No one is suggesting [going to court] is helpful but I would go back to Israel Folau's comments from last year when he said if it was hurting the game he'd walk away for the good of the game,” Clyne said.
“I'm not sure exactly what we're apologising for, I don't quite understand that request," he said.
@RugbyAU Chair Cameron Clyne on the sacking of #IsraelFolau 'sponsors 'don't want to be associated with sports that don't represent their values'.
— RN Breakfast (@RNBreakfast) June 2, 2019
"We've provided a player with opportunities and asked him to adhere to a contract and a generous one at that.
“Israel was not sacked for his religion, he was sacked for a breach of his contract."