Polarizing athlete Israel Folau has broken his silence following the National Rugby League's (NRL) decision to block his return to the sport. Folau, 38, revealed in an interview that he was informed by NRL officials that his values did not align with those of the game.
"I was pretty obviously frustrated and gutted with the whole situation," Folau told The Brodie Buchal Podcast. "I was told (the decision was made) because my values don't align with the game and what they stand for. For me, it's black and white - standing for biblical truth. That's essentially what it is."
Folau's potential return to rugby league was initiated by Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall. However, the NRL's administration ultimately prevented the move.
Folau, who has competed in rugby league, Australian rules football, and rugby union, has faced controversy due to his public expression of religious beliefs. In 2019, Rugby Australia terminated his contract after he refused to remove an Instagram post that included Bible verses stating homosexuals would face damnation. At the time, he questioned his decision but ultimately stood by his convictions, stating he could "sleep at night and know that I did the right thing."
Following the Rugby Australia decision, then-ARLC chairman Peter Beattie publicly stated that Folau would not be considered for registration in the NRL. Beattie emphasized the game's commitment to inclusivity and respect for all, contrasting it with Folau's social media posts. "Our position on Israel Folau remains the same," Beattie said at the time. "We are an inclusive game with respect for all. Israel has social media posts online that go against what our game stands for. As it stands, he will not be considered for registration."
Looking back, Folau expressed a sense of gratitude that the NRL return did not materialize. "As I sit back now and a bit of time's gone by, I'm pretty grateful that it didn't go through," he said. "The peace and the strength and the fruit that I've received from this whole process has been amazing."
