Israel Folau’s wife has slammed ARL Commission chief Peter V’landys amid the Manly pride shirt scandal after his comments supporting players boycotting his position.
Former New Zealand netball star Maria Folau stood by her husband Israel during their scandal that saw the tri-code star’s Rugby Australia contract torn up in 2019.
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But she has claimed “hypocrisy” after V’landys closed the door on an NRL return for her husband following their highly publicized scandal.
Shortly after starting his ARLC presidency in October 2019, V’landys slammed the door on an NRL return for the code-hopping star.
But after the Manly Pride shirt drama broke, Ms Folau took aim at V’landys’ comments, backing the seven players boycotting Thursday night’s game against the Roosters.
Taking to Instagram, Folau posted on her Instagram stories: “’We’re all human at the end of the day’… Umm so what is Izzy?… A donkey?
“The hypocrisy (sic.) of this man and this organization @nrl #PeterVlandys What a joke!!!!”
Folau shoots V’landys. Photo: InstagramSource: InstagramMaria Folau has attacked the head of the ARLC, Peter V’landys. Photo: Getty Images Source: Getty Images
It comes after V’landys commented following the pride shirt backlash, supporting the seven players who pulled out.
“The game prides itself on treating everyone as a human being, regardless of their race, color or sexual orientation,” he told 2GB. “We are all human beings at the end of the day.
“Rugby league is the best game of all. It’s inclusive.
“But at the same time you have to respect people’s religious and cultural beliefs. These players are taking a stand and they have every right to do so, they have freedoms to do so.”
The Pride of Manly shirt features three stripes and rainbow piping and will be worn uniquely this week.
Manly stars Josh Aloiai, Jason Saab, Christian Tuipulotu, Josh Schuster, Haumole Olakau’atu, Tolutau Koula and Toafofoa Sipley objected to wearing the shirt due to their religious beliefs and withdrew from the game.
The septet have since been asked not to attend the match for security reasons.
It sparked widespread backlash in recent days from rugby league circles, including former and current players. openly gay Manly legend Ian Roberts, former England star Keegan Hirst, who came out while playing, Roosters coach Trent Robinson
as well as entertainers, other sports and social media stars.
Manager Des Hasler admitted a “significant error” on behalf of the clubs and, despite reports of three of the players wavering over their position, all seven players would be unavailable, naming a decimated squad for the game.
Manly’s Sean Keppie, Kieran Foran and Reuben Garrick in the Sea Eagle’s Pride shirt. Photo: Manly DigitalFont: Supplied Peter V’landys at the Women in League launch. Image: David Swift. Source: News Corp Australia
V’landys ‘no tolerance’ Folau swipe
V’landys and the Folaus have met in the past, after the newly minted ARLC president claimed the Israel scandal in 2019 was dangerous.
Folau was sacked by RA after he posted a picture on Instagram in 2019, saying “drunkards, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, idolatrous atheists” were going to hell.
He doubled down on several viral church sermons, criticizing “heathens” who participate in customs related to Christmas and Easter that are done “in vain,” and preaching that wildfires and drought are the punishment of God for same-sex marriage and abortion.
The story broke and culminated in a December 2019 settlement in Folau’s wrongful termination lawsuit against RA.
However, in October 2019, when V’landys became the chairman of the ARLC, he closed the door on a Folau NRL return.
.“The game is inclusive. Israel’s comments are not inclusive,” V’landys said. “When I was a kid and kids used to get bullied because they were different, I would stand up for them. And a lot of them, it’s because their role models in follow or their peers made them so.
“I have zero tolerance for people who put other people’s lives (at risk) or (commit) violence. It’s a big statement to make. With respect for Israel, what he says, kids listen. He’s a role model to go on. They act on it. And when you’re a kid at school and they bully you because you’re different, I don’t think that’s a good thing.”
12/04/19 Israel Folau with his wife Maria in Melbourne on the day they settled with Rugby Australia. Aaron Francis/The AustralianSource: News Corp Australia
After being kicked out of Australian rugby union, Folau secured a contract with UK Super League side Catalans Dragons before St George Illawarra scoffed at a deal for the disgraced star, only to withdraw interest in the face of the immense reaction.
V’landys also hit out at 2021 after the Christian Lobby backed Folau’s return to the NRL.
“This Christian Lobby with their full page ads is basically wasting their resources and money because there is no application,” V’landys said at the time.
“There are a lot more things in life that they could be pushing for, like right now [an end to] poverty and inequality and all that sort of thing, more than that.”
Folau attempted a comeback through the Clive Palmer-backed Southport Tigers, but after one game, he signed with Japanese rugby union NTT Communications.
Folau has since made his debut for Tonga’s national rugby team and revealed his interest in representing the nation at next year’s Rugby World Cup.
He also admitted he had no regrets about his homophobic comments that ended his Australian rugby career.