Maria Folau labels V’landys a ‘hypocrite’ over his comments on Manly Sea Eagles jersey controversy
The wife of controversial athlete Israel Folau has lashed out at the NRL supremo Peter V’Landys over the Manly Sea Eagles pride jersey debacle.
Seven first grade players have refused to play during Thursday night’s match because they would be required to wear a rainbow ‘Pride’ jersey, citing religious and cultural reasons.
Folau – whose husband Israel was at the centre of a national controversy after he was sacked by Rugby Australia over tweets about homosexuality – weighed in on the drama on Thursday.
‘The hypocrisy from this man and his organisation @nrl #PeterVlandys what a joke,’ Ms Folau fumed on Instagram.
The former Silver Fern netball player was fired up about comments V’Landys made about the scandal saying: ‘We’re all human beings at the end of the day.
‘But at the same time, you have to respect the player’s religious and cultural beliefs. Those players are taking a stance, and they have every right to.’
Folau wanted to join the NRL last year but failed to sign a contract after an intense backlash from fans.
Ms Folau raged on Instagram: ‘We’re all human beings at the end of the day … Umm so what’s Izzy?? (Israel) ….A donkey?’
Israel Folau’s career ended in 2019 after he refused to take down an Instagram post where he wrote ‘hell awaits’ homosexuals and other sinners and quoted Bible scripture.
His Rugby Australia contract was torn up in the wake of the comments, sparking a court case and national controversy.
more to come.