Rugby Australia has decided not to sanction Israel Folau over his controversial views on homosexuality.
RA Chief Executive Raelene Castle, who met with Folau last week to discuss the issue, issued a statement on Tuesday saying the player won't be penalised.
"In his article, Israel clearly articulated his religious beliefs and why his faith is important to him and has provided context behind his social media comment," Ms Castle said.
"In his own words, Israel said that he did not intend to upset people intentionally or bring hurt to the game. We accept Israel's position."
Folau, who is an Evangelical Christian, sparked a firestorm in Australia and in rugby circles after writing on his Instagram page that gays would be condemned to "hell" if they failed to "repent".
On Monday night, he used a column on the website Players' Voice to re-state his strong religious beliefs. He also wrote that he offered to walk away from his Rugby Australia contract over the debacle.
"I told Raelene if she felt the situation had become untenable - that I was hurting Rugby Australia, its sponsors and the Australian rugby community to such a degree that things couldn't be worked through - I would walk away from my contract, immediately," Folau wrote.
The Wallabies and Waratahs fullback, who is off contract at the end of this season, rubbished claims that the inflammatory social media comments were designed to ensure he got a release from RA so he could move back to rugby league.
Rugby Australia CEO Raelene Castle speaks to media during a press conference on rugby player Israel Folau's use of social media. Source: AAP
"This is not about money or bargaining power or contracts. It's about what I believe in and never compromising that, because my faith is far more important to me than my career and always will be," he said.
One of the nation's top players and most marketable athletes, Folau's contract expires at the end of the season and RA are keen to extend it beyond next year's World Cup in Japan.
His comments were described as "very disappointing" by Qantas airlines, a major sponsor of Rugby Australia, while international referee Nigel Owens, who came out as gay in 2007, said such comments could contribute to young people taking their own lives.
Qantas stands by Rugby Australia: report
Speculation swirled that Rugby Australia could face a further backlash from sponsors over its decision not to sanction Folau.
But Fairfax reported on Tuesday that Qantas plans to stand by Rugby Australia and honour its sponsorship agreement until it ends in 2020.
However it is not clear whether other sponsors affiliated with Rugby Australia will follow suit.
Pacific Island LGBTIQ+ advocates speak out
It comes after a group of LGBTIQ+ advocates from the Pacific Islander community penned an open letter calling for Folau to be more respectful.
"We, as Australian and Pasefika LGBTI citizens don’t need your condemnation because deep down, we KNOW Jesus is on my side. Deep down, we KNOW Jesus came for us, and not for some sanctimonious overpaid homophobic sports/muscle gladiator," they wrote.
"The reason why we know this is because Jesus lives in our houses, in our hearts and not in shiny glass houses favoured by people like you.
"Ok enough with the banter, you can change Israel. You can, if you really want to."
