The controversy has overshadowed Australia’s World Cup preparations, with Wallabies coach Michael Cheika vowing not to select Folau over his “disrespectful” comments.
A divisive code of conduct hearing kicked off Saturday as Israel Folau challenged Rugby Australia’s intention to tear up his lucrative contract over homophobic comments, with experts warning of a protracted legal battle.
Super Rugby’s all-time record try scorer and one of the sport’s highest-profile players opted to challenge it through a tribunal. It will then decide what punishment, if any, is appropriate — ranging from a fine to a suspension or the sack.Legal experts said the case would almost certainly go to an appeal whichever way it went, and then potentially to the courts for a lengthy, and costly, fight that could set a precedent for how much control sporting bodies have over athletes’ public pronouncements
“The Folau case may eventually involve not only RA’s code of conduct but also aspects of contract law, anti-discrimination laws and employee rights under the Fair Work Act,” said Carabetta.Folau is set to argue that Rugby Australia did not include a specific social media clause in the four-year contract he signed in February and his posts were merely passages from the Bible and not directly his words.
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