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'Shouldn't be disadvantaged': Gay footy player's classy take on Israel Folau saga

Ali Brigginshaw doesn’t think Israel Folau should be blocked from returning to rugby league, despite his controversial social media posts condemning gay people.

Folau shocked the rugby league world last week when he announced he was making a return with the Tongan Test side later this year.

That plan has since been hampered after the Rugby League International Federation voted to suspend the Tongan National Rugby League's membership - the body pushing for Folau’s inclusion.

However, the dumped officials who had announced they would pick Folau for end-of-year Tests against Great Britain and Australia claimed they had launched court proceedings to challenge their suspension and reclaim control of the national team.

With the possibility of Folau’s return still open, Brigginshaw has spoken out about the scandal and the prospect of Folau coming back to league.

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Ally Brigginshaw with partner Kate, pictured here at the Dally M medal.
Ally Brigginshaw with partner Kate at the Dally M, and Israel Folau. Image: Getty

The gay Brisbane Broncos player spoke to Hit105’s Stav, Abby and Matt on Friday about how she would feel if Folau returned.

“It’s his opinion - I just wish he didn’t share it on social media,” Brigginshaw said.

“If he is allowed back in he doesn’t need to voice his opinions there.”

However Brigginshaw took the high ground and said she doesn’t think he should be blocked from returning to the sport.

“I think he’s an amazing player,” she continued.

“I don’t think he should be disadvantaged from playing.”

Ali Brigginshaw, pictured here in action for the Broncos in NRLW.
Ali Brigginshaw in action for the Broncos. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

ARL boss doesn’t want Folau in NRL

ARL commission boss Peter Beattie has previously ruled out any potential Folau return to the NRL.

"This story has been bent out of shape. This is a disagreement in Tonga about Tongan issues," Beattie told AAP.

"I will support the Tongan NRL players. It is that simple, and I make no apology for that. My loyalty is to rugby league."

There is a feeling among many that Tonga's recent naming of Folau is a last-ditch powerplay to secure their control of the game in the country.

They initially claimed in a statement that the RLIF had approved Folau's return, only for the governing body to deny that hours later on Monday.

A subsequent Tonga statement then insisted the RLIF had no grounds to block Folau's return, and reaffirmed the desire to play him.

Folau remains in a battle with over his termination following the posts in May, with RA last week claiming he'd been willing to apologise for the comments at the time.

with AAP