Catalans considering Folau legal options
Catalans Dragons are considering taking legal action against Israel Folau after the cross-code star flagged an Australian playing comeback while still contracted to the Super League club.
Folau has signed a deal with Southport Tigers in the Gold Coast’s A-grade competition, which he hopes the Queensland Rugby League will register. However, there could be a further stumbling block to a potential return.
Israel Folau didn’t back away from his faith when asked if he was homophobic and has no regrets over his now infamous social media post.
Folau remains contracted to Catalans, who allowed the 32-yearold to return to Australia on compassionate grounds. There was still an expectation Folau would return at some stage or offer a suitable compensation package should he wish to extricate himself from his contractual commitments.
Catalans officials were blindsided by Folau’s intention to join the Tigers and are considering their legal options.
‘‘We are aware of what has been announced but we still have Israel registered [on a] contract with the RFL,’’ Catalans football manager Alex Chan said.
Folau’s bid to play for the Tigers has been bankrolled by club patron Clive Palmer. The controversial billionaire said he would throw his considerable resources at ensuring Folau would be cleared to resume his playing career on the Gold Coast.
At a press conference on Friday, when Palmer was asked about Folau’s contractual obligations to Catalans, Palmer said: ‘‘Well that’s just a lot of bluff. The truth about it is we have had a look at that before we signed Israel up. He signed a contract with them in January that required them to make some substantial financial payments to Israel, which they have failed [to do] and defaulted in doing.
‘‘In a legal sense, they have repudiated that contract, Israel has accepted that repudiation and the contract is terminated. That’s the legal position. They don’t have a leg to stand on.’’
If Palmer has his way, Folau would not be his only controversial Tigers signing. As revealed by the Sydney Morning Herald, the former politician is also trying to register former NRL star Tony Williams.
The former NSW and Australia forward has apologised for his remarks in support of convicted rapist Jarryd Hayne, which resulted in the termination of the contract he had signed to play rugby league in New York.
‘‘I understand I hurt a lot of people, but it wasn’t what I was trying to do,’’ Williams told The Sun-Herald earlier this month. ‘‘If I had my time again, I would have chosen my words a lot better than that.’’
‘‘They (Catalans) have repudiated that contract.’’ Clive Palmer, Tigers club patron