‘Shocked’ club makes Israel Folau threat after being abandoned

Israel Folau’s UK Super League club is reportedly contemplating legal action after the controversial footy star revealed he was making a comeback to rugby league in Australia.

At a press conference with mining magnate Clive Palmer on Friday, Folau announced he’d signed with amateur club Southport Tigers in the Gold Coast’s A-Grade competition.

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The news came as a shock to Catalans Dragons, who Folau played for after Rugby Australia tore up his contract for making homophobic posts on social media. Folau was contracted to Catalans for this season, though he had been allowed to return home on compassionate leave because of a sick family member.

When noises were being made about a potential return to the NRL with St George, Catalans hit out and said they expected Folau back with them this season. However, that isn’t happening, and Catalans football manager Alex Chan said he was “shocked” by Friday’s developments.

“Our stance hasn’t changed,” Chan told PA. “We’ve given Israel and his family time to get back together and make sure that everything is going good and we expected that, once Izzy found some stability, we’ve left the door open.

“We still hold his contract, he’s still a registered player with Catalans Dragons. It was a big shock to see what was put out there.

“We can’t just let things happen like this. I’ve got to meet with the club president and our directors but I’ve already made our legal team aware of the situation that is starting to unfold.

“We need to start being proactive from our end in case things start to escalate and go nasty.”

Catalans president Bernard Guasch was sticking firm in reiterating that Folau is still a Dragons player and has not been released from his contract.

“It does not matter whether it is for a professional or amateur club, the license of Folau belongs to us,” Guasch said, per L’Independant. “Nobody came in contact with us to start discussions.”

Palmer is backing Folau’s move to Southport, but the deal still needs to be ratified by the Queensland Rugby League.

The Dragons want to keep Folau on their books.Source:AFP

Folau cops awkward ‘lesbian’ question

At Friday’s press conference, one reporter asked Folau for his thoughts on the team’s song lyrics, which reportedly features the line: “What do we want? Lesbians on our faces.”

Folau: I’ve just signed with the club. I have no idea about what the song is.

Palmer: I’ve been a player, been there for 50 years, and I haven’t heard it. It sounds like a beat-up … I just don’t think it’s true.

Reporter: I’ve spoken to multiple people who have said that it’s a song that they sing at the end of each game.

Palmer: Well I don’t think it is … I was in the dressing room last Sunday, they weren’t singing any songs. I think it’s just sensationalism.

According to Channel 7 journalist Bianca Stone, the club’s players don’t intend to stop singing the anthem because of the high-profile signing.

The Tigers have been contacted by news.com.au for comment, and on Friday morning released a statement about their new recruit.

“Israel is excited to have the opportunity to play alongside his two brothers for the first time in their careers,” the statement said.

“He is looking forward to getting back on the field to play the game he loves, and to give back to the game at a grassroots level.”

Meanwhile, QRL released a statement confirming it had received Folau’s application for registration.

“QRL is currently considering the Tigers’ application, in line with its rules and processes that govern the registration of players,” the statement read.

“An update will be provided when the process is complete.”

Two unlikely allies.Source:News Corp Australia

Folau: I stand by the bible

Folau thanked Jesus Christ for the opportunity to sign with the Tigers — a club his brothers represent and Palmer is a patron of.

“I just want to give thanks to my lord and saviour Jesus Christ for this opportunity,” Folau said.

“I am excited to be here and link up with Clive. The opportunity he’s given me and my family is something I’m really grateful for.”

When asked about the homophobic social media posts which derailed his rugby union career two years ago, Folau responded: “As a Christian I stand by the bible and what the bible says.

“Every written word that’s written in that book, I stand by that. That’s all I say about that,

“As I said, I believe what the bible says. And it’s clear. I didn’t write the bible. That’s God’s written and I believe that wholeheartedly.

“You’ve got to read the bible in context. You ask me all these questions but have you read the bible?”

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