(UTV|COLOMBO) – The Australian Rugby Union authorities have ended Israel Folau’s contract over a social media post in which he said “hell awaits” a certain group of people.
He has 48 hours to accept the sanction or face a code of conduct hearing. Rugby Australia said the 30-year-old “had committed a high-level breach of the Professional Players’ Code of Conduct warranting termination of his employment contract”.
The Waratahs player has won 73 caps for Australia.
He was expected to play at this year’s World Cup.
Folau, who signed a four-year deal with the Waratahs in March and had a deal with Rugby Australia until 2022, escaped punishment for similar comments last year.
Rugby Australia chief executive Raelene Castle said: “Israel was warned formally and repeatedly about the expectations of him as player for the Wallabies and NSW Waratahs with regards to social media use and he has failed to meet those obligations.”
Folau last week posted a banner on his Instagram account that created controversy around the World. The post remains online and the player yesterday said he was standing by “what the Bible says”.
In addition to his rugby union career, Folau has also played professional rugby league and Australian rules football.