London (AFP)

Former Welsh international winger Gareth Thomas, first renowned rugby player to declare himself homosexual, said he was "very upset" Wednesday by the recruitment by the Catalan Dragons of Australian Israel Folau, who had made homophobic remarks .

"So Folau joins the Super League. I am very disappointed that this sport, the players and the supporters have been so good with me," tweeted the former player who ended his career at XIII after making a name for himself. to XV.

"All I hope is that, just as Folau claims his right to speak, players and supporters will have (the right) to respond. I will never watch him play," added Thomas.

Fervent evangelical Christian, Folau had caused an uproar in April 2019 after the publication of a message on his Instagram account: "Drunkards, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists, idolaters, Hell awaits you. Repent Only Jesus can save you. "

The Australian federation had then decided to terminate his contract, which the player had disputed, suing the federation for "unfair dismissal".

But the French XIII rugby club of the Catalan Dragons, based in Perpignan, announced Tuesday that it had signed a one-year contract.

Robert Elstone, the executive president of the Super League, the championship that brings together English teams, the Dragons and a Canadian franchise, the Toronto Wolfpack, criticized this recruitment.

Wigan Angmaos have announced that their home game against the Dragons in March will be a "Proud Day" against discrimination based on sexual orientation. His players will wear rainbow socks and laces for this match

Wigan president Ian Lenagan admitted to the BBC that his club had considered hiring Folau for a while but had backed down because he had "already reached his salary cap".

Wakefield president Michael Carter, whom Folau could debut on February 9 for the second day of the Super League, said the other clubs had not been consulted but they probably would have been against it.

"I don't think we should let him come. Are we now considered a safety net for those who get kicked out of another sport?" He commented to the British PA agency.

"The views he professes are disgusting and hiding them behind religious convictions is a bad thing," he said.

© 2020 AFP