The Israel Folau saga
- Thread starter The torpedo
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It is part of the beliefs of a goodly chunk of Christian, Jewish and Muslim believers - all of which I think are pretty crazy, but they can say whatever they like.
It is nothing that isn't preached every day in the Sydney CBD by various loons trying to "save" me
This is what I'm curious about. Even if they have multiple things in his contract about social media posts, rights of termination etc. it doesn't mean they are watertight.
If his contract gets terminated you can just about guarantee he will sue RA and the Waratahs for unfair dismissal and in my non-lawyer view would have a fairly solid case that the action taken to dismiss him was disproportionate to his behaviour.
The most frustrating thing about all this is the difficult position this puts RA in. They lose whatever they do here.
Aurelius
Ted Thorn (20)
He could go back to League. He'd help class that joint up.
Seriously though, I was on Folau's side the last time around even though I don't share his beliefs. However, if it's the case that he was warned explicitly that further provocations on social media could lead to suspension or expulsion, well, he'd only have himself to blame if that eventuates.
And also I think it is a really difficult position for the powers that be, one of the biggest growth areas of rugby players are conservative christian islanders whose churches are positing these very same positions.
Do we want a belief test now before we offer a rugby contract?
Do we want stop praying on the field?
Do we want a belief test now before we offer a rugby contract?
Do we want stop praying on the field?
It's kind of irrelevant though. As a public figure, all his behaviour has a very real impact on his employer.
Wilson
Phil Kearns (64)
A like doesn't necessarily mean a lot, I doubt there'd be too many ramifications from RA's end. Whether or not those players crack the shit with Izzy being punished is a different question.
Aurelius
Ted Thorn (20)
Excellent point. You can't claim to be all in favour of equality and diversity and let a controversy like this become an exercise in Christian-bashing.
Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
I wonder if the RA allowing a public display of religious belief on the field would encourage someone like Izzy, who apparently has strong religious beliefs, to take a public stand on those beliefs on Twitter etc? I personally think religion should be kept separate from the game of rugby. Players who want to pray for their opposition to lose should do so in the privacy of the change rooms, or elsewhere.
It's not really. It's just the commercial reality of operating in a competitive market.
And he is so commercially viable that he will find a contract elsewhere, as we make assumption the bizarre that assumption that thousands upon thousands of qantas ticket buyers will choose other airlines because of an instagram post. And that very same instagram post will also drive down the sales of Daikon products
Proud Pig
Tom Lawton (22)
This is a very simple position for RA.
Izzy is allowed to have his opinions and even to express them but when his comments directly impact RA and their sponsors etc... Then he must accept the consequences therein.
This is a man who makes a huge amount of money based upon his position with the Waratahs and RA.
You can argue that he earns the money because of ability but that is only true in as much as it is his ability that gives him the in with RA.
RA makes the money used to pay him through sponsors and the wider Rugby community.
If his comments put those funds under risk then he cannot expect that risk to not be passed on to him.
Freedom of Speech is not Freedom from criticism and consequences.
Izzy is allowed to have his opinions and even to express them but when his comments directly impact RA and their sponsors etc... Then he must accept the consequences therein.
This is a man who makes a huge amount of money based upon his position with the Waratahs and RA.
You can argue that he earns the money because of ability but that is only true in as much as it is his ability that gives him the in with RA.
RA makes the money used to pay him through sponsors and the wider Rugby community.
If his comments put those funds under risk then he cannot expect that risk to not be passed on to him.
Freedom of Speech is not Freedom from criticism and consequences.
You've kind of missed the point here.
RA/NSWRU have to keep their sponsors happy. They are reliant on the income.
Do you think those sponsors will be happy their brands are being dragged into this?
Finsbury Girl
Trevor Allan (34)
The thought police are out in force it seems.
Proud Pig
Tom Lawton (22)
No, he will probably not cause thousands of ticket buyers to choose other airlines. His comments could however cause Qantas to withdraw sponsorship as they do not want their brand associated with him and his very vocal opinions.
Up the Guts
Steve Williams (59)
Exactly, in any business, if the client takes offence to something you've said, you're going to be at least taken off that project. Likewise, if you violate your company's ethics policy you're going to be disciplined. RA will have to weigh up the costs/benefits of sanctioning Folau and make a business decision accordingly.
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