Rugby Australia is set to issue Israel Folau a breach notice as early as Monday as NSW Rugby Union chairman Roger Davis warned it would be a "disaster" if the code was dragged through a protracted court battle with the Wallabies star.
Folau landed himself in hot water last Wednesday with a controversial Instagram post that suggested homosexuals and other groups – including drunks and atheists – were destined for hell. This time last year he was caught up in a similar furore but escaped sanction from RA after posting on social media that gays would go to hell.
Israel Folau is to be issued a breach notice by Rugby Australia for his controversial social media activity. Credit:AAP
It is understood RA will issue Folau a breach notice as early as Monday. He will have 48 hours to respond and request a code of conduct hearing, which is a requirement as part of the game's collective bargaining agreement with players.
If Folau responds as soon as he is issued the breach notice, the wheels will be in motion as quickly as possible to organise a hearing.
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However, with Easter coming up this weekend there could be some logistical hurdles to overcome for a code of conduct hearing to happen this week given a three-person panel needs to be locked in.
While a hearing will most likely be held next week, rugby officials are bracing themselves for a potentially nasty episode where lawyers on both sides could be caught up in appeals and potential litigation.
Davis, whose board has been briefed on the matter, says there will be no winners once this saga has run its course.
“The last thing our code needs is months of litigation, with appeals and counter-appeals in the courts over this issue," Davis told the Herald. "I think that would be a disaster for the game and only reinforces the need for the right and fair processes to be followed up front.
“A lot of people think it will be resolved in two days but I dont. Well have to wait and see how that all plays out. There are going to be no winners at the end of the day.”
RA has come down firm on Folau for his post that has caused severe backlash but administrators are working behind the scenes to ascertain whether they are able to sack the dual international.
A code of conduct hearing might not be the end of the issue, given Folau can appeal the decision and perhaps even take the matter to court in a bid to be paid out millions of dollars, which would be far from ideal for RA and the Waratahs.
"Of course the outcome of the code of conduct process is uncertain and can't be controlled as it is an independent process," Davis said. "But regardless I still think that is the right and fairest way to go and should avoid some of the potential problems we are now seeing with rugby lRead More – Source
Rugby Australia is set to issue Israel Folau a breach notice as early as Monday as NSW Rugby Union chairman Roger Davis warned it would be a "disaster" if the code was dragged through a protracted court battle with the Wallabies star.
Folau landed himself in hot water last Wednesday with a controversial Instagram post that suggested homosexuals and other groups – including drunks and atheists – were destined for hell. This time last year he was caught up in a similar furore but escaped sanction from RA after posting on social media that gays would go to hell.
Israel Folau is to be issued a breach notice by Rugby Australia for his controversial social media activity. Credit:AAP
It is understood RA will issue Folau a breach notice as early as Monday. He will have 48 hours to respond and request a code of conduct hearing, which is a requirement as part of the game's collective bargaining agreement with players.
If Folau responds as soon as he is issued the breach notice, the wheels will be in motion as quickly as possible to organise a hearing.
Advertisement
However, with Easter coming up this weekend there could be some logistical hurdles to overcome for a code of conduct hearing to happen this week given a three-person panel needs to be locked in.
While a hearing will most likely be held next week, rugby officials are bracing themselves for a potentially nasty episode where lawyers on both sides could be caught up in appeals and potential litigation.
Davis, whose board has been briefed on the matter, says there will be no winners once this saga has run its course.
“The last thing our code needs is months of litigation, with appeals and counter-appeals in the courts over this issue," Davis told the Herald. "I think that would be a disaster for the game and only reinforces the need for the right and fair processes to be followed up front.
“A lot of people think it will be resolved in two days but I dont. Well have to wait and see how that all plays out. There are going to be no winners at the end of the day.”
RA has come down firm on Folau for his post that has caused severe backlash but administrators are working behind the scenes to ascertain whether they are able to sack the dual international.
A code of conduct hearing might not be the end of the issue, given Folau can appeal the decision and perhaps even take the matter to court in a bid to be paid out millions of dollars, which would be far from ideal for RA and the Waratahs.
"Of course the outcome of the code of conduct process is uncertain and can't be controlled as it is an independent process," Davis said. "But regardless I still think that is the right and fairest way to go and should avoid some of the potential problems we are now seeing with rugby lRead More – Source
