Israel Folau receives notice of infringement of Rugby Australia's Code of Conduct

Rugby Australia has handed over to its star player, Israel Folau, a notice of violation of the code of conduct to which it has a 48 hour deadline to respond.

Rugby Australia's CEO, Raelene Castle, said Folau had been warned of his social messages last year but had not fulfilled his obligations.

She was referring to her post Instagram last week in which he had stated that homobaduals and other sinners would go to hell if they did not repent.

Rugby Australia's Integrity Unit found that Folau had breached the professional players' code of conduct, resulting in the termination of her employment contract, she said.

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Folau has 48 hours to accept the sanction or refer the case to a Code of Conduct hearing.

"It essentially involves the responsibilities that an employee owes to his employer and the commitments he has made to his employer to comply with his policies and procedures and to uphold his values," he said. Castle in a statement.

"After the events of last year, Israel has been repeatedly and formally warned of its expectations as a Wallabie player and NSW Waratah with regard to the use of social media. Did not fulfill its obligations.

"It was made clear to him that any social media posting or disrespectful comments about people because of their baduality would result in disciplinary action.

"All Australian professional rugby players are bound by the code of conduct and a disciplinary procedure is in place.We are aware that this issue will generate considerable interest, but that due process must be followed."

If Folau requests a hearing, an independent three-person tribunal will deal with the case and determine if Folau has broken the code and, if so, what sanction is appropriate.

Folau said he wanted to fight for his career, although he said Sunday that he was eventually leaving rugby, he would do it.

If Folau were sanctioned or dismissed, he could appeal the decision through the intermediary of the Supreme Court, but this possibility would be very far.

NSW Rugby has already prevented Folau from meeting him after his controversial post on social media last week.

After this meeting, Rugby Australia and NSW Rugby reiterated that they still intended to work towards the termination of his contract.

The Wallabies coach, Michael Cheika, said earlier in the day that he would not choose Folau after his latest controversial post.

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