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All is ready for Israel Folau's code of conduct hearing on Saturday... just don't expect a quick outcome

By Online Editors
Israel Folau. (Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)

The Australian Rugby Union have confirmed details for Israel Folau’s code of conduct hearing, revealing that the closed hearing proceedings will get underway on Saturday at 9.30am AEST at the Rugby Australia Building in Sydney. 

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A panel consisting of John West QC (chair), Kate Eastman SC, and John Boultbee AM will preside over the hearing that could proved lengthy as Sunday has been reserved as a second day if required.

Rugby Australia chief executive Raelene Castle, NSW Rugby Union CEO Andrew Hore, and RUPA chief executive Prataal Raj will attend the hearing in person along with legal representatives from the parties.

The panel will consider submissions and evidence from both parties at the hearing, but is not expected to deliver a decision on the weekend.

The three-person independent panel will head arguments regarding whether or not Folau should be sacked by Rugby Australia for a social media post last month that said homosexuals were destined for hell, unless they repent their sins.

Folau is required to attend the hearing and it is believed that this is his intention. However, there remains the possibility that the 30-year-old might change his mind and not attend in person.

Folau, who signed a four-year contract extension in February and was expected to play a huge part for Australia at the World Cup finals in Japan, had promised Castle that there would be no repeat of a damaging Instagram comment in 2018 that said god’s plan for gays was: “HELL”.

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The Rugby Australia integrity unit deemed following Folau’s comments last month that he had committed a high-level breach of the professional players’ code of conduct that warranted termination of his employment contract.

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Those that are living in Sin will end up in Hell unless you repent. Jesus Christ loves you and is giving you time to turn away from your sin and come to him. _______________ Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these , adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:19?-?21 KJV _______________ Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 2:38 KJV _______________ And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
Acts 17:30 KJV _______________

A post shared by Israel Folau (@izzyfolau) on

Castle said at the time: “At its core, this is an issue of the responsibilities an employee owes to their employer and the commitments they make to their employer to abide by their employer’s policies and procedures and adhere to their employer’s values.

“Following the events of last year, 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.

“It was made clear to him that any social media posts or commentary that is in any way disrespectful to people because of their sexuality will result in disciplinary action.

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“All professional Rugby players in Australia are bound by the Code of Conduct and there is a process in place for any disciplinary matter. We appreciate that this particular matter will attract significant interest, but due process must be followed.”

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