Sydney (AFP)
The Australian Rugby Federation said on Thursday that it had "not backed down" in the fight against discrimination by settling amicably its dispute with the former star Israel Folau, who challenged in court the fact of having was sacked for new homophobic remarks in April.
A fervent evangelical Christian, the back of the Wallabies had aroused consternation with a new outrageous message on his Instagram account: "Drunkards, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists, idolaters, Hell is waiting for you. Only Jesus can save you.
Rugby Australia then decided to terminate his contract but Folau counterattacked with a complaint of "unfair dismissal" and was preparing to claim a total of 14 million Australian dollars (€ 8.6 million) in compensation for his religious freedom. had been flouted.
The two parties announced Wednesday in a statement the amicable settlement of this dispute, whose financial terms have not been disclosed. In a statement, the federation and Folau apologized for the harm they may have caused.
"Rugby Australia's apology gives us reason and we will be able to continue our lives to focus on our faith and our family," said the player on YouTube.
On Thursday, Rugby Australia boss Raelene Castle claimed that her organization had "not backed down". "We had to make a decision in the interest of rugby in this country," she told a news conference in Sydney.
"We made the decision not to let Israel's inappropriate message pass," she said. "Things remain the same, we stick to our values, to the fact that inclusion is absolutely at the heart of rugby".
She explained that going to court would not have been in the interest of Australian rugby, which is already going through a complicated pass with declining popularity and poor performance at the World Cup in Japan this fall.
"We have made a decision that gives us certainty as to its cost and puts us in the best financial position to positively address the New Year," Castle added.
© 2019 AFP