Massive Mistake By Rugby Australia Could Save Israel Folau
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Whoops.
Rugby Australia (RA) terminated Israel Folau’s contract earlier this week following the fullback’s latest homophobic outburst on social media. But the Wallaby was given 48 hours to appeal the decision and has done exactly that.
It’s not the first time Folau has found himself in trouble with his employer as a result of his social media activity. So when he signed a bumper four-year deal worth a reported $4million-a-season, it was presumed a clause in relation to that activity was inserted.
Well turns out Rugby Australia made a massive mistake that could come back to haunt them. According to The Daily Telegraph, RA wanted to insert a social media clause into his contract – but left it too late.
The initial deal presented to Folau has no clause in the contract, but when they decided to add one last minute (after Folau had already signed) he refused to allow them add it in.
Now with a legal battle set to ensue – Folau’s defence will rely on two key factors. That his social media posts were not his own words as he was quoting scripture, and the fact that he didn’t have a social media clause in his contract to prevent him from doing so.
RA however, believe they are still on safe ground, because they will argue the Wallaby star breached the standard player code of conduct by vilifying others because of their sexuality.
It’s going to be interesting to see how things play out.
'As revealed by the Telegraph, RA made a blunder by failing to insert the clause when they re-signed Folau for four years in February. They attempted to have the clause put into his contract at the last minute but as he’d already signed, Folau refused.'
— Russ Petty (@rpetty80) April 17, 2019
