Rugby Australia has settled with Israel Folau after Folau went after the organisation for $14 million in damages over his sacking.
Folau asserted that he was unlawfully given the boot over social media posts he made in which he declared that homosexuals (among others) were doomed to hell and implied that transgender and intersex people are evil. In a joint statement, Rugby Australia apologised to Folau and his family for causing any “hurt or harm,” while Folau apologised to Rugby Australia for the same.
In what appears to be a sort of bilateral, almost contradictory admission of wrongdoing, Rugby Australia acknowledged that Folau didn’t mean to hurt anyone, while Folau acknowledged that he might have hurt some people. “The Social Media Post reflected Mr Folau’s genuinely held religious beliefs, and Mr Folau did not intend to harm or offend any person when he uploaded the Social Media Post,” the statement reads. “Mr Folau wants all Australians to know that he does not condone discrimination of any kind against any person on the grounds of their sexuality and that he shares Rugby Australia’s commitment to inclusiveness and diversity.”
By nature of the fact that the settlement was confidential, we will not know how much Folau was paid out. Folau’s attempt to crowdfund his legal fees on GoFundMe was scuppered when the site pulled the campaign for violating their terms of service, but he managed to quickly raise over $2 million when the Australian Christian Lobby took over hosting the campaign.
You can read the full statement below:
Rugby Australia, NSW Rugby and Israel Folau have today settled their legal dispute following the dismissal of Israel Folau after he posted a religious message on social media (the Social Media Post).
The Social Media Post reflected Mr Folau’s genuinely held religious beliefs, and Mr Folau did not intend to harm or offend any person when he uploaded the Social Media Post. Mr Folau wants all Australians to know that he does not condone discrimination of any kind against any person on the grounds of their sexuality and that he shares Rugby Australia’s commitment to inclusiveness and diversity.
Rugby Australia and NSW Rugby do not in any way agree with the content of the Social Media Post. Inclusiveness is one of Rugby’s core values and it welcomes all people to the game, including all members of the LGBTI community. While it was not Rugby Australia’s intention, Rugby Australia acknowledges and apologises for any hurt or harm caused to the Folaus. Similarly, Mr Folau did not intend to hurt or harm the game of rugby and acknowledges and apologises for any hurt or harm caused.
Rugby Australia and Mr Folau wish each other well for the future. The Parties do not intend to comment further on the terms of their settlement as it is confidential.
There’s that.
