- Israel Faolau has signed up for a year with the Catalan Dragons, a French franchise that plays in the English Championship, the best European championship.
- A star of rugby league and the fiery whistle of rugby union, the player was banned by the Australian federations after his homophobic remarks repeatedly repeated.
- His signature to the Catalan Dragons arouses disapproval in England. In France, supporters ask for the right "to a second chance" and hope that its arrival will publicize a sport that is struggling to break out of its confidentiality.
The signing of Israel Folau to the rugby XIII franchise of the Catalan Dragons raised different reactions on each side of the Channel. The Australian player, brilliant on the field, had become persona non grata in his country after his homophobic comments on social networks, repeated several times. The Australian Rugby Union and Rugby Union federations have banned him from playing under their colors.
A French XIII rugby franchise based in Perpignan, the Catalan Dragons play in the English championship, the Super League, the largest European championship. "The Super League deplores the homophobic comments of Israel Folau in the past, which contradict the fundamental values of our sport," regrets its boss, Robert Elstone. It's a safe bet that the decision shocked many people linked to our sport. I informed the Catalan Dragons. However, the Super League does not have the power to veto players' signatures. Israel Folau has the right to work and has not been charged or convicted of any criminal offense. The Catalan Dragons assured the Super League that strict guidelines were in place to prevent the player from repeating comments. They also assured us that his contract would be terminated immediately if he did. "
Wigan declares a rainbow day for the reception of the Dragons
In response, the Wigan club decreed that the reception of the Catalan Dragons on March 20 would be a day of support for the LGBTQ + community. Champion of England 20 times and quadruple winner of the Club World Cup, the Manchester club is an institution in England.
🏳️🌈 @WiganWarriorsRL can confirm that their round six game against @DragonsOfficiel on Sunday 22nd March will now be Pride Day, as the Warriors look support the LGBTQ + community.
Learn more 👇https: //t.co/nvxK1VHHq1
In France, reactions are much more measured. Contacted, the Catalan club said that a press conference will be given in early February, once the player has arrived in France. And refer for any comments, until then, to the official press release. In it, President Bernard Guasch clarified his position: “We do not approve and do not share the words of Israel based on his sincere religious belief. We do not share or tolerate his opinions and we are totally committed to making our club and our sport open and welcoming to everyone (…) Any violation will result in the immediate termination of the contract of Israel and a substantial fine for the club ".
"The right to a second chance"
Contacted by 20 Minutes , many Catalan supporters, for their part, want to give him “a second chance. We are open people in Catalan countries and that is also why we are tolerant. Everyone makes mistakes and has the right to a second chance [Israel Folau has repeated this repeatedly]. You have to know how to forgive. We ask him to do the job on and off the field and to respect everyone, ”said Frédéric Magnan, president of the Têt Dragons supporters club. “I trust Bernard Guasch, who is a very far-sighted person. At the slightest glitch, his contract will be broken ”, thinks Gérard Barrau, of Dragons Gavatx.
🏉 The majority of clubs were against his signing in the Super League 👇https: //t.co/MkJdSvjBUW
- Thirteen World (@XIIIMondial) January 29, 2020"I am a little reserved, I hope it will not tarnish the image of the club," said Axel Liboutry, of the Thoroughbred Catalans. He hopes "that he will not make any homophobic remarks in the future". But if it is shared, it is also, like all the interlocutors with whom we were able to exchange: behind the man, hides an extraordinary player. And a publicity stunt for this franchise.
"If we could finally talk about us ..."
“His personality and his level of play may attract some media coverage. We hope so because we suffer from a terrible lack of recognition, ”continues Axel Liboutry.
The Catalan Dragons regularly perform in front of nearly 10,000 spectators. But, with the exception of the Pyrénées-Orientales, Aude, and a few neighboring cities, XIII rugby remains confidential. "If this kind of player could finally make us talk ...", hopes Gérard Barrau ...
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Rugby Union: Catalan Dragons recruit Israel Folau, Australian sacked for his homophobic remarks
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- Languedoc-Roussillon
- Australia
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- Perpignan
- homophobia
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