Sport

Disgraced rugby star Israel Folau sacked over homophobic comments raises lawsuit demands to £7.4million

Israel Folau arrives ahead of his conciliation meeting with Rugby Australia at Fair Work Commission on June 28, 2019 in Sydney, Australia.

Israel Folau arrives ahead of his conciliation meeting with Rugby Australia at Fair Work Commission on June 28, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Mark Metcalfe/Getty)

Embattled homophobic rugby star Israel Folau has upped his demands for compensation from his former team and Rugby Australia from £5.28 million to £7.4 million.

The former Wallabies player was plunged into controversy after posting a homophobic message on his social media, but it was no isolated incident.

Following his high-profile sacking from the union, Folau has been tailed by continued accusations of homophobia. He recently said the bushfires blanketing Australia were caused by LGBT+ people.

Israel Folau claims contract cancellation cost him £7.4 million.

The 30-year-old has now raised his lawsuit claim, asserting that he could have become captain of the national side, according to court records.

Folau, previously one of the nation’s highest-paid athletes, also included potential lost earnings from match performances as well as sponsorship deals in the amended claim, filed today.

Israel Folau departs after Rugby Australia's code of conduct hearing. (Matt King/Getty Images)

Israel Folau departs after Rugby Australia’s code of conduct hearing. (Matt King/Getty Images)

He stated his loss and damages of £7.4 million ranged include losses of his base salary and other payments (between £790,000 to £1.5 million) and post-career benefits.

Folau’s four-year contract (worth £2.1 million) was torn up earlier this year as a result of his homophobic social media activity, when he said that hell awaits “drunks, homosexuals [and] adulterers”.

In a claim lodged to the Federal Circuit Court, Folau has fought to veil the case as a fight for religious freedom.

The trial is scheduled for February 2020 if final mediation between both parties fails in the upcoming month.

Israel Folau’s compensation claim questioned by sports pundits. 

Australian figures were quick to slam Folau as “greedy” while others criticised his logic for the amendments.

“If Israel Folau is seeking compensation for missing out on a POSSIBLE captaincny and a POSSIBLE World Cup trophy, I am suing my parents for not allowing me to be an actress when I could have POSSIBLY been better than Julia Roberts and POSSIBLY won an Oscar,” tweeted reporter Charlotte Mortlock.

 

 

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