Folau’s lawyers sink boot into QRL

THE Queensland Rugby League fears its ugly courtroom battle with Israel Folau could cost it up to $500,000.

With the backing of billionaire mining magnate Clive Palmer, Folau last week commenced Supreme Court action against the QRL.

Folau and Palmer are incensed the cross-code superstar has not been immediately cleared to play for the Southport Tigers in the Rugby League Gold Coast competition.

Palmer, a Southport club patron, was planning to pay Folau up to $250,000 to play for the semi-professional team.

The QRL said Folau would be allowed to play as soon as he gained clearance from Super League club Catalans, which claim he is still contracted to the club.

That didn’t satisfy Palmer, who is demanding Folau (pictured) be immediately registered given Catalans have violated the terms of his playing contract by not paying Folau after he requested compassionate leave to remain in Australia.

Folau was hoping to have an immediate injunction imposed so he could take the field for the Tigers, but the case was adjourned for a month.

The QRL is already out of pocket $50,000 for the first stage of court proceedings and the body, which oversees grassroots footy in Queensland, fears that could multiply up to 10 times if the case continues in a month’s time.

The QRL is hoping Folau and Palmer will use the time to negotiate a release from Catalans and prevent wasting more money that could be used to fund the amateur level of the game in Queensland.