Israel Folau's online campaign to raise money for his legal fight against Rugby Australia has been shut down.
GoFundMe Australia has taken down Folau's page - which had raised more than $750,000 of a $3 million target - and will issue refunds to all of the more than 7,000 donors.
"After a routine period of evaluation, we have concluded that this campaign violates our terms of service," the company's regional manager in Australia Nicola Britton said.
The company's full statement said Israel Folau's campaign did not comply with GoFundMe's policy.
"As a company, we are absolutely committed to the fight for equality for LGBTIQ people and fostering an environment of inclusivity," the statement said. While we welcome GoFundMes engaging in diverse civil debate, we do not tolerate the promotion of discrimination or exclusion," the statement continued.
"In the days since Mr Folau’s campaign launched, more than one million dollars have been donated to hundreds of other campaigns, large and small, across Australia. Those acts of kindness are the heart of GoFundMe.
"Our platform exists to help people help others. Australians have shown themselves to be among the most kind and generous people in the world. We look forward to helping more Australians fundraise for causes they care about in the coming months and years."
'Not good enough'
On Sunday, netball great Liz Ellis slammed the sport's peak body in Australia after it refused to sanction Israel Folau's wife for re-posting his controversial online fundraising campaign.
Maria Folau, who plays for Adelaide Thunderbirds in Super Netball, re-posted her husband's online campaign.
Netball Australia and the Super Netball league said no action would be taken in a joint statement released on Sunday.
"Yeah nah not good enough," former Australian Diamonds captain Liz Ellis wrote on social media in response.
"There is no room for homophobia in our game. Anyone who is seen to support or endorse homophobia is not welcome," she said.
The former captain of the national team and the Sydney Swifts said while she loved watching Maria Folau play she did not want her sport endorsing the views of her husband.
Israel Folau's $4 million contract was torn up in May after one of his social media posts citing the Bible was deemed homophobic.
"We will continue to support Maria as a valued member of the Thunderbirds and the Suncorp Super Netball league," the joint statement read.
Netball South Australia chief executive Bronwyn Klei also weighed in on the controversy, defending her organisation as committed to providing an inclusive environment.
"We also believe in fairness and perspective," she said, shortly before Folau took to the court for the Thunderbirds clash with the NSW Swifts in Adelaide on Sunday.
"Like millions of other people across Australia, Maria Folau uses her personal social media platform to share her life and beliefs with her family, friends and fans."
Ms Klei made clear Netball SA does not endorse the post, but said the social media policy has not been contravened.
"Maria is a key member of the Thunderbirds," she said.
"We continue to support her as we support all our players."
