Sports figures
Anti-gay social media posts by Wallaby Israel Folau have been slammed by leading sporting personalities.
The rugby superstar has posted a banner on Instagram warning ‘‘drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars and fornicators’’ among others that hell awaits them unless they repent.
‘‘Those that are living in Sin will end up in Hell unless you repent. Jesus Christ loves you and is giving you time to turn away from your sin and come to him,’’ his post says.
It is the second such outburst from Folau in as many years.
The Australian Rugby Union’s integrity unit is ‘‘engaged on the matter’’.
But several current and former rugby players have already come out to criticise the fullback.
Former British and Irish Lions captain Gareth Thomas, who was the victim of a homophobic attack in Cardiff last year, wrote on Twitter that he felt sorry for Folau and urged people to ignore his comments.
‘‘I don’t write this with hate or anger after Israel Folau’s comments,’’ Thomas said.
‘‘I write with sympathy. To everyone who reads it, don’t be influenced by his words. Be the better person and be YOU. Whoever YOU is. Hell doesn’t await YOU. Happiness awaits YOU.’’
Thomas’ message was replied to by All Black Nehe Milnerskudder with a rainbow and love heart, to show his support.
Sydney Morning Herald columnist and former Wallaby Peter Fitzsimons wrote that Rugby Australia should now cut its ties with Folau.
‘‘Israel Folau has to go, and will go,’’ Fitzsimons wrote.
‘‘Quick. Clean. Gone. At least until such times as he repents.
‘‘Rugby Australia simply has no choice. They cannot go through one more time the agony of last year when Folau’s social media comments trumpeting that gays would go to hell, saw rugby lose sponsors, fans and support.’’
England prop Joe Marler responded by directly tweeting to Folau pictures of men kissing.
England player Carl Ferns, who plays for Lyon in France, wrote: ‘‘If heaven is full of people like Israel Folau then you can count me out.’’
Last year Chiefs halfback and one-test All Black Brad Weber tweeted his disgust at comments made by Folau about gay people.
Weber tweeted out: ‘‘Kinda sick of us players staying quiet on some of this stuff. I can’t stand that I have to play this game that I love with people, like Folau, who say what he’s saying.’’
Stuff contacted Weber yesterday after Folau’s latest outburst. Weber said he didn’t want to comment, but said his tweets from last year remain relevant.
Greens Party co-leader Marama Davidson wrote on Twitter that Folau’s posts were hate speech and called on Rugby Australia to take action.
Two Football Ferns have joined the criticism.