Lawyers for dumped Wallabies star Israel Folau have lodged an unfair dismissal claim against Rugby Australia.
Applications were filed with the Fair Work Commission on Thursday against both the national and NSW governing sports bodies, following the 30-year-old's sacking last month after he posted comments on social media about homosexuals.
Israel Folau is taking legal action against Rugby Australia. Source: AAP
"No Australian of any faith should be fired for practising their religion," Mr Folau said in a statement.
Rugby Australia and the NSW Waratahs terminated Mr Folau's contract on May 17 citing a breach of their code of conduct by sharing a message from the bible, proclaiming homosexuals, drunks, adulterers and other so-called "sinners" were destined for hell unless they repented.
Mr Folau will now argue that under the Fair Work Act his employment was unlawfully terminated because of his religion.
"I will forever be grateful and proud to have played the sport I love for our nation," he said.
Dumped Wallabies star Israel Folau has lodged an unfair dismissal claim against Rugby Australia. Source: AAP
"Ours is an amazing country built on important principles, including freedom of religion. A nation made up of so many different faiths and cultural backgrounds will never be truly rich unless this freedom applies to all of us."
Documents lodged with the commission claim the sacking meant Mr Folau was prevented from playing at the peak of his career and on the cusp of a Rugby World Cup, which would have generated greater exposure and opportunities.
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"The messages of support we have received over these difficult few weeks have made me realise there are many Australians who feel their fundamental rights are being steadily eroded," Mr Folau said.
At the time of the sacking, Rugby Australia chief executive Raelene Castle said it was a sad day for the sport to terminate the Wallabies' three-time player of the year and Super Rugby's all-time leading try-scorer.
“Rugby Australia and the NSW Rugby Union made the decision to pursue the termination of Israel Folau’s contract because of a serious breach of the Professional Players Code of Conduct," Rugby Australia said in a statement.
“This is an issue of an employee and his obligations to his employers within the contract that he signed. He was bound by a Code of Conduct for all professional players in Australia that spells out clear guidelines and obligations regarding player behaviour, including respectful use of social media."
