Judgement Day: Israel Folau arrives for Rugby Australia showdown and could have his multimillion dollar contract torn up for saying 'gays are going to hell'
- Israel Folau has arrived at Rugby Australia HQ for a code of conduct hearing
- Folau, 30, will go into battle at the rugby headquarters in Sydney on Saturday
- RA could tear up his $4million contract for homophobic social media posts
Israsel Folau has arrived at Rugby Australia (RA) for a landmark code of conduct hearing which could see his multi-million dollar contract torn up.
Folau, 30, will go into battle at the rugby headquarters in Sydney on Saturday to keep his four year, $4million deal after he shared a social media post which claimed homosexuals were going to hell unless they 'repent'.
A three-person panel, with representatives from RA and the Rugby Union Players' Association, will determine Folau's fate on the field.
Israsel Folau has arrived at Rugby Australia for a landmark code of conduct hearing which could see his multi-million dollar contract torn to pieces
Folau arrived at the headquarters in St Leonards, Sydney's lower North Shore, in the back of a black Audi at about 9am, ahead of the 9.30am scheduled hearing
The controversial rugby star (right) pictured with his wife Maria Folau (left)
The deliberation could carry over to Sunday but RA has already declared the panel are not expected to deliver their decision over the week.
Folau arrived at the headquarters in St Leonards, Sydney's lower North Shore, in the back of a black Audi at about 9am, ahead of the 9.30am scheduled hearing.
About ten minutes later, RA chief executive Raelene Castle and NSW Waratahs boss Andrew Hore were seen entering the building.
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Wallabies coach Michael Cheika, who was not expected to attend, made an intriguing appearance on Saturday.
Cheika's sighting raised the prospect of a possible peace offering, despite saying three weeks ago that he wouldn't be able to pick Folau for Australia again 'as it stands right now'.
The controversial rugby star was issued with a 'high-level' breach notice last month for taking to Instagram to proclaim 'hell awaits drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolators' unless they repent and turn to Jesus.
Folau was issued with a 'high-level' breach notice last month after he shared a social media post which claimed homosexuals were going to hell unless they 'repent'
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika leaves the Rugby Australia building after making an unexpected appearance
The full-back of Tongan descent was warned by RA last year after sharing a similar homophobic post that claimed gays were destined for hell.
He then signed his profitable contract extension in October.
Folau is being represented by high-profile solicitor Ramy Quatami and barrister Adam Casselden, who recently worked on the coronial inquest into the murder-suicide of Sydney family Maria Lutz and her children Ellie and Martin at the hands of their father Fernando Manrique in 2016.
Folau and his representation will argue the sporting body did not include a specific social media clause in the new contract.
Further, they will argue the post was from the Bible and not directly Folau's words.
Folau, 30, will go into battle at the rugby headquarters in Sydney on Saturday to keep his four year, $4million deal
The full-back of Tongan descent was warned by RA last year after sharing a similar homophobic post that claimed gays were destined for hell. He then signed his profitable contract extension in October
But RA, represented by Justin Gleeson SC, are expected to counter argue that Folau breached the governing body's broader code of conduct policy and its inclusion policy - despite the exclusion of a clear social media clause.
Point 1.3 of the players' code of conduct policy says: 'Treat everyone equally, fairly and with dignity regardless of gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, cultural or religious background, age or disability.
'Any form of bullying, harassment or discrimination has no place in Rugby'.
The three-person panel is made up of chair John West QC, RA representative Kate Eastman SC and the Rugby Union Players' Association-elected John Boultbee.
If the tribunal determines that Folau has breached his contract, the panel must then decide if the breach was severe enough to terminate his career.
The losing party will have until 72 hours after any decision is handed down to appeal.
About ten minutes after Folau's arrival, RA chief executive Raelene Castle and NSW Waratahs boss Andrew Hore were seen entering the building
Folau broke down in tears while giving an emotional sermon at the Uniting Church in Kenthurst, north west of Sydney, on Easter Sunday.
The footage emerged as Willie Ofahengaue, the first Tongan to represent Australia in rugby union, backed Folau ahead of Saturday's hearing.
The 50-year-old former flanker, who won the World Cup in 1991, told The Australian: 'I understand there were restrictions with his contract but what he said is what he believes.'
'I support what he said. As Christians, we preach what we believe.
'He has a right to freedom of speech and freedom of religion and he is talking about what he believes. I think it is a bit hard on him to be sacked for saying what he believes and to face these sorts of consequences.'
A cameraman reacts as John Boultbee crashes his car into railing on arrival at the hearing
In the sermon on 21 April Folau preached about figures in the Bible who stood up for their beliefs.
He said: 'At some stage, each and every one of us will face our own fiery furnace, and some of us may have already faced that.
'In your workforce, if they're telling you something that will compromise your faith, this is a test of faith in which you're going to be put in a challenge, and the question is 'What are you going to do?'
Folau began to break down in tears when he spoke about Heaven, requiring a member of the audience to bring him some tissues to wipe his eyes.
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