DRAGONS RELEASE STAGE-MANAGED VIDEO IN PLACE OF PRESS CONFERENCE
CATALAN DRAGONS have ditched plans to herald the arrival of controversial Israel Folau as the backlash to his signing continues.
The dual-code international met his team-mates in Perpignan on Monday – but Catalans cancelled a press conference with the 30-year-old and instead circulated an in-house video with the former Melbourne Storm and Brisbane Broncos player.
In the clip, above, Folau did not address the issues surrounding his social media posts that included one stating that “hell awaits” gay people.
Instead he focused only on matters on the field, while the furore over his signing continues at a Super League meeting in Salford today attended by Dragons chairman Bernard Guasch.
Several clubs have taken legal advice over potential loss of earnings from sponsors and through the turnstiles, while current and former gay players Keegan Hirst and Gareth Thomas were among those to condemn the move.
Folau said: “I’m excited to be back playing. It’s been 10 years since I last played league and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of a great organisation and team in Catalans.
“I missed that team camaraderie and team environment. Being able to train with the team and work alongside the coaches is something I’ve missed in the past seven months.”
Dragons must decide whether to hand Folau his debut on Sunday at Wakefield, who have been among the most outspoken clubs, with chief executive Michael Carter saying Folau’s views are abhorrent.
A home debut in Perpignan seems the more likely option but coach Steve McNamara has been hit by injuries to Tom Davies, Lewis Tierney and David Mead.
Of the Folau signing McNamara said: “We knew it would be controversial. Having spent a lot of time speaking to him and getting reassurances, we made a decision to support Israel and give him another opportunity in our game.”
agreat
RTV