Rugby star Israel Folau REFUSES to take a knee before Catalans Dragons’ defeat by St Helens 

Controversial rugby star Israel Folau, who was sacked by Australia for saying ‘hell awaits’ gay people, REFUSES to take a knee before Catalans Dragons’ loss at St Helens

  • Israel Folau decided not to take a knee during anti-racism protest at Headingley
  • Catalans Dragons and St Helens players took a knee as Super League returned
  • Former Australia rugby union international was only player to remain standing
  • His Australia contract was torn up in 2019 after he shared homophobic message

Israel Folau refused to take a knee before Catalans Dragons Super League game against St Helens on Sunday.

Players from both teams marked the return of rugby league behind-closed-doors at Headingley by taking a stance against racism, as they joined referee Ben Thaler in dropping to one knee for a few seconds in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Folau, 31, was sacked from his Rugby Australia contract last year for his homophobic views and Catalans’ decision to sign him led to widespread opposition.

Israel Folau refused to take a knee before Catalans Dragons’ defeat by St Helens on Sunday

Catalans Dragons and St Helens players took a knee as the Super League returned on Sunday

Catalans Dragons and St Helens players took a knee as the Super League returned on Sunday

Catalans Dragons coach Steve McNamara has since defended his player’s actions at Headingley. 

‘As a group of players and coaching staff, we spoke about it in depth and as a club we are completely against racism and all for equal opportunity.

‘But there were some players and staff who made the decision not to take the knee. That was based on personal choice, they have their own reasons for doing that, and we decided we would respect anyone’s personal choice on the matter.’

Israel Folau was sacked by Rugby Australia over homophobic social media posts in May 2019

Israel Folau was sacked by Rugby Australia over homophobic social media posts in May 2019

Folau was unable to make his mark on the game as the Catalans lost 34-6 to the reigning champions in the opening game of a double-header at Headingley which marked the resumption of Super League.

In May 2019 the full-back had his £2million contract ripped up after Rugby Australia took the ‘painful’ decision to sack him for claiming ‘hell awaits’ gay people. 

The fundamentalist Christian showed little remorse after his four-year contract was terminated, and he consequetly missed out on Australia’s World Cup campaign. 

Rugby Australia chief executive, Raelene Castle said: ‘While Rugby Australia accepts the panel’s decision directing termination of Israel Folau’s playing contract for his high-level breach of the Code of Conduct, we want to stress that this outcome is a painful situation for the game.

Folau shared a social media post claiming homosexuals were going to hell unless they 'repent

Folau shared a social media post claiming homosexuals were going to hell unless they ‘repent

‘Rugby Australia did not choose to be in this situation, but Rugby Australia’s position remains that Israel, through his actions, left us with no choice but to pursue this course of action.

‘This has been an extremely challenging period for Rugby and this issue has created an unwanted distraction in an important year for the sport and for the Wallabies team.

‘But our clear message to all rugby fans today is that we need to stand by our values and the qualities of inclusion, passion, integrity, discipline, respect and teamwork.

‘I’ve communicated directly with the players to make it clear that Rugby Australia fully supports their right to their own beliefs and nothing that has happened changes that.

‘But when we are talking about inclusiveness in our game, we’re talking about respecting differences as well.