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Israel Folau reaches settlement with Rugby Australia | Israel Folau reaches settlement with Rugby Australia |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Rugby player Israel Folau has reached a settlement with Rugby Australia (RA) over his controversial sacking for writing anti-gay posts on social media. | Rugby player Israel Folau has reached a settlement with Rugby Australia (RA) over his controversial sacking for writing anti-gay posts on social media. |
The former Wallabies star had been suing RA for A$14m (£7.4m; $9.5m) after having his contract terminated in May. | The former Wallabies star had been suing RA for A$14m (£7.4m; $9.5m) after having his contract terminated in May. |
Folau, a Christian, argued that the termination of his contract was a case of religious discrimination. | Folau, a Christian, argued that the termination of his contract was a case of religious discrimination. |
The parties had settled for a confidential amount, according to a joint statement on Wednesday. | The parties had settled for a confidential amount, according to a joint statement on Wednesday. |
Folau was sacked for saying "hell awaits" gay people, after previously being warned over his social media posts. | Folau was sacked for saying "hell awaits" gay people, after previously being warned over his social media posts. |
What did the two sides say? | What did the two sides say? |
In a statement from both parties, the 30-year-old full-back said he had not intended to harm or offend people when he uploaded the post. | In a statement from both parties, the 30-year-old full-back said he had not intended to harm or offend people when he uploaded the post. |
"Mr Folau wants all Australians to know that he does not condone discrimination of any kind against any person on the grounds of their sexuality," the statement read. | "Mr Folau wants all Australians to know that he does not condone discrimination of any kind against any person on the grounds of their sexuality," the statement read. |
RA said it did not "in any way" agree with the content of the post, adding inclusivity was "core" to the sport. | RA said it did not "in any way" agree with the content of the post, adding inclusivity was "core" to the sport. |
Both parties apologised for "any hurt or harm caused". | Both parties apologised for "any hurt or harm caused". |
The settlement is an abrupt conclusion to a months-long dispute. Just last week, Folau had upped his demands for compensation. | The settlement is an abrupt conclusion to a months-long dispute. Just last week, Folau had upped his demands for compensation. |
Previously one of the nation's highest-paid athletes, he had sought both monetary compensation and a return to the national side. | Previously one of the nation's highest-paid athletes, he had sought both monetary compensation and a return to the national side. |
The terms of the settlement have not been revealed. It is unknown if Folau will return to the Wallabies. | The terms of the settlement have not been revealed. It is unknown if Folau will return to the Wallabies. |
How significant was this fight? | How significant was this fight? |
The row had been closely followed in Australia, where it sparked national debate about free speech and discrimination. | The row had been closely followed in Australia, where it sparked national debate about free speech and discrimination. |
Experts had suggested that the court case - if it had gone ahead - could have set a legal precedent for religious expression in Australian workplaces. | Experts had suggested that the court case - if it had gone ahead - could have set a legal precedent for religious expression in Australian workplaces. |
Folau had been widely supported by Christian lobby groups, but he has also been widely condemned for his anti-gay and anti-transgender comments. | |
Folau raised over A$2m in a crowd-funding campaign in June, saying donations had come from "tens of thousands of Australians". | Folau raised over A$2m in a crowd-funding campaign in June, saying donations had come from "tens of thousands of Australians". |
An earlier fundraiser was shut down after the host platform, GoFundMe, said Folau's cause promoted discrimination. | An earlier fundraiser was shut down after the host platform, GoFundMe, said Folau's cause promoted discrimination. |