Israel Folau committed high level breach of players code of conduct

The ABC is reporting that Israel Folau has been found to have committed a high level breach of the players code of conduct. Punishment is yet to be decided.

I am deeply saddened that a player of his extraordinary abilities thought that in accordance with his religious views, it was OK to say that homosexuals deserved to go to hell. Having been the subject of homophobic abuse and glares, the pain that these comments make is terrible.

For your information Israel Folau, my husband and I celebrated our marriage in the eyes of God. How does that stack up with the idea we too are going to hell?

To be paid lots and lots of money to kick a ball in the public eye brings with it responsibility- including to gay kids who want to play rugby. His words to those who aren’t gay give encouragement to bully and torment those who they think are gay.

Some kids will kill themselves because of this torrent of ongoing abuse. Having a player in as senior position as Folau using the weight of his position to attack gays- in the guise of his religious beliefs- is disgusting.

Having known a number of the players of the Brisbane gay rugby team, the Hustlers- they love the game. Rugby is the passion of their life. What would it have said about the game if sports officials could not protect them?

I am glad that rugby league administrators also have said that they don’t want Folau back. Good.

Folau has been seen crying over the impact that his words have had- on him. One day I hope he might have the insight as to the impact that his words have had on others. That day seems many years away. When that day comes, he might remember the golden rule of the Bible- which is to do unto others as you would have them do unto you. That basic rule- of the love of other members of humanity- and the humility that comes from that- seems to have been forgotten by his hatred of those who have a different sexuality to his.