BY CURTIS WOODWARD

@woodward_curtis

Outspoken code-hopper Israel Folau has found a home for 2020 with French rugby league club Catalans Dragons confirming his signature on a one-year deal which has already sparked anger online.

While Super League itself is against the signing, there was no legitimate legal stance they could take against one of their club’s from signing Folau.

Folau recently settled with Rugby Australia and was paid a small fortune after Rugby Australia terminated his contract for a ‘high level breach’ when the one-time AFL Giant posted a quote from the Bible saying hell awaits ‘drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolaters’.

Looks like most of us should be packing shorts and sandals.

“There is a strong feeling that the decision to sign him lets down many people connected to our sport,” Super League CEO Robert Elstone said.

“I made Catalans Dragons aware of those views.

“However, Super League does not have the authority to veto the registration of players and is satisfied by the due diligence carried out by The Rugby Football League.”

Folau was quick to fire back.

“I acknowledge the views expressed by Super League and the Rugby Football League,” said Folau.

“I’m a proud Christian, my beliefs are personal, my intention is not to hurt anyone and I will not be making further public comment about them.

“I look forward to my return to the great game of Rugby League with the Catalans Dragons.”

Social media went into meltdown at the news.

“Classic rugby league. Season about to start, all excited, all feeling good about ourselves, game united helping Burrow & Masoe then RFL allow Israel Folau into @SuperLeague same organisation that banned Zak Hardaker for homophobic abuse. Awful message from club/governing body,” one said.

English powerhouse Wigan won the internet announcing their clash against Folau’s Dragons in round six would now be their Pride Day fixture. Genius!

If only Wigan’s owner Ian Lenagan didn’t do an interview hours before where he admitted Wigan had considered signing Folau but couldn’t fit him into their cap.

Internet Title revoked.

But perhaps more alarming than anything else is what we consider worthy of banning someone from our game and what isn’t.

Yes Mr. Folau has said some outrageous things but he only has a voice because we continue to give him one. Folau has 353,000 followers on Instagram. How many would he have if everyone that didn’t agree with his views unfollowed him? How would we know what he’s saying if the media didn’t report every little word he says?

Then there’s people like Matt Lodge who kept a New York family hostage in their own home in a drunken rampage. On the same night he also threatened a German tourist saying, “This is the night you’re going to die.”

He was arrested at gunpoint. He should have been sent to an American prison.

Zane Tetevano bashed his girlfriend several times. He was given a sentence of 18 months while at the Newcastle Knights in 2015 but on appeal was given a reprieve by the judge. During the court case, Tetevano’s barrister said he “has no desire to return to the toxic environment that the NRL invites.”

That was in 2015. Funnily enough, Tetevano did come back and won a premiership ring at the Roosters in 2018.

Robert Lui is still playing professionally in England despite the hell he put his partner through while he was playing at Wests Tigers.

Just recently Brisbane’s David Fifita and the Storm’s Nelson Asofa-Solomona found themselves in hot water in Bali for separate incidents.

Curtis Scott just punched and kicked a police officer in the head!

But little old Israel with his silly little book should be banished to the dark side of the moon because WE keep giving him a platform?

Come on.

@woodward_curtis