Israel Folau has sparked outrage once again by posting a homophobic message online, months after he defiantly stood by previous anti-gay comments and even offered to quit his rugby contract over the scandal.
The Wallabies star, 30, has previously come under fire for his outspoken views on homosexuality and his latest post read: “Hell awaits drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolators.”
Meanwhile, he captioned the photo with the message: “Those that are living in Sin will end up in Hell unless you repent. Jesus Christ loves you and is giving you time to turn away from your sin and come to him.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BwEWt2uHcLI/
The photo sparked an angry response from followers and major figures in the rugby world, with retired England rugby star Joe Marler posting a photo of two men kissing on Twitter, followed shortly after by a short video of two other men kissing.
That was followed by a message from gay former Welsh rugby captain Gareth Thomas, who posted on the social media site: “I don’t write this with hate or anger after Israel Folau’s comments. I write with sympathy. To everyone who reads it, don’t be influenced by his words. Be the better person and be YOU. Whoever YOU is..Hell doesn’t await YOU.Happiness awaits YOU.”
Elsewhere, ex-Wallabies star, journalist and husband of Lisa Wilkinson, Peter FitzSimons, lashed out in a column for the Sydney Morning Herald, writing: “In the wake of his latest homophobic outburst – gays, among other sinners, are heading to hell once more – Israel Folau has to go, and will go.”
He added: “Rugby Australia simply has no choice. They cannot go through one more time the agony of last year when Folau’s social media comments trumpeting that gays would go to hell, saw rugby lose sponsors, fans, and support. Rugby must surely move quickly, or be made to look ridiculous.”
Rugby Australia has since issued a statement condemning the post, saying: “The content within the post is unacceptable. It does not represent the values of the sport and is disrespectful to members of the Rugby community.
“The Rugby Australia integrity unit has been engaged on the matter tonight.”
It’s not the first time the sports star, who is a devout Christian, has angered followers with his views on homosexuality.
Last year he even offered to walk away from his lucrative contract after making anti-gay slurs on social media. At the time, he told his followers that gay people are destined for “hell unless they repent their sins and turn to God”.
He was warned but not sanctioned by RA boss Raelene Castle at the time.