Rugby Australia and former Wallabies star Drew Mitchell have slammed Israel Folau for trying to raise $3 million to pay upcoming legal bills in what could be a landmark test of religious freedoms.
The committed Christian had his $4 million RA contract terminated in May after a post he made on social media citing the Bible was deemed homophobic. It followed a similar incident last year.
A Go Fund Me page set up earlier this week to raise funds for legal costs in his bid for reinstatement has since raised more than $377,000, with over 4500 people donating to the cause.
But Folau's campaign has been slammed by former Wallabies stars Mark Gerrard and Drew Mitchell, with the latter accusing the sportsman of being "greedy".
Mr Gerrard said the saga was distracting from positive news about the game.
"Unfortunately this is not helping our game and the brand itself," he told Fox Sports.
Folau's decision to "stand up for the word of God" was also criticised by Rugby Australia.
"From our perspective (Go Fund Me) is a place where sick children get support, so it's certainly not a strategy we think is appropriate," Rugby Australia chief executive Raelene Castle told Nine News on Friday.
Former Wallaby Drew Mitchell also laid into the 30-year-old, saying sick children were more deserving of support.
"YOU are in a fight that YOU chose to be in after YOU broke the terms of YOUR contract, the kids below are in a fight they NEVER wanted to be in & yet YOU think YOU deserve donations more than they do??!!," Mitchell posted on Twitter.
"It's no longer about religion, it's about YOU and YOUR greed. @IzzyFolau."
Sydney Independent state MP Alex Greenwich urged people to donate to World Vision's campaign to end child slavery instead.
"If you are truely (sic) interested in supporting a Christian cause ... do not donate to the #Folau fund," he posted on Twitter.
But former Australian Christian Lobby chief Lyle Shelton defended Folau, saying "if Israel loses, we all do".
The sportman's $4 million RA contract was terminated in May after a post he made on social media citing the Bible was deemed homophobic. It followed a similar incident last year.
He had uploaded an image to Instagram which stated drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolaters would go to hell.
Israel Folau launched a Go Fund Me campaign last week. Source: GoFundMe
"I believe that sharing the Bible is an act of love and compassion," he said on GoFundMe.
"I do not believe that it is fair or right that I be punished for my religious beliefs."
Asked on Sydney radio 2GB if RA had a social media clause in his contract that would have prohibited him from speaking about his faith, Folau said "no, absolutely not".
After the first incident in 2018, Folau said he was counselled by RA that while he could share his religious beliefs, he should "do it in a more respectful way".
He believes he has done that.
"I'm always about sharing that from a place of love and believing in the Bible that people ... have the opportunity to hear that, so they do repent if they choose to and turn away from [sin] and have an opportunity to be in heaven one day," he told 2GB.
Israel Folau has linked the bushfires and drought to God's judgment. Source: AAP
The former Wallaby says he and wife Maria, an international netball player, have already spent more than $100,000 of their own money dealing with RA's internal tribunal processes.
"I believe the termination of my contract is unlawful, which is why I have started legal proceedings against Rugby Australia and Rugby NSW," Folau said on the website.
"In response, Rugby Australia have already said that they will 'divert significant resources' to fight me in court.
"Even if I win, Rugby Australia can appeal. There is every chance that a prominent test case like this could take years and eventually end up in the High Court of Australia."
The GoFundMe page had raised $183,000 in donations from more than 1850 people as at 10.55am AEST. Most of the individual donations were around $50. But some people had tipped in $500 and $200 each.
"I know I am putting myself on the line - this action will be very costly in terms of time, money and reputation - but I do not intend to stop now," Folau said on GoFundMe.
"I have the fight of my life on my hands and every little bit will help."
Meanwhile, a Sydney man has launched a counter-campaign seeking to raise funds for LGBTI youth from diverse backgrounds.
The fundraiser, Ryan Carter, said Folau's profile and his cultural background was inciting further “discrimination against an already marginalised community”.
“This GoFundMe page is set up to raise money for the benefit of LGBTQI+ Australians of colour, with all proceeds going to Black Rainbow,” the page reads.
