Israel Folau booed during Barbarians and World XV match. Image: Wikimedia
Folau booed as Barbarians beat World XV
Israel Folau made a series of anti-gay social media posts back in 2019, including one telling “homosexuals” that “hell awaits you”.
Israel Folau booed during Barbarians and World XV match. Image: Wikimedia
Israel Folau was met with a chorus of boos from LGBTQ+ protesters during a match between the Barbarians and the World XV on Sunday.
Eddie Jones’ Barbarians defeated the World XV 48-42 at Twickenham.
Folau, who featured for the World XV, scored a try during the match and everytime he went on a solo run, he was met with jeers from the crowd.
The 34-year-old centre was given the boot by Rugby Australia in 2019 after he made ani-gay post on social media.
Folau said; “I love and respect all people for who they are and their opinions. but personally, I will not support gay marriage.”
Folau hasn’t played for Australia since 2019 and has since switched nations
When he was questioned about his series of tweets and posts, he went on to say “hell awaits you” referring to the LGBTQ community.
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Folau has switched national allegiance from Australia to Tonga.
Speaking to Sky Sports, World XV head coach Steven Hansen said everyone has a right to their own opinion
“Everyone is allowed an opinion,” Hansen said. “We don’t necessarily have to agree with each other on our opinions but you are entitled to have one.
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“You can’t be punished for the rest of your life for having an opinion that most of us disagree with,” he said.
“I’ve always been a great believer that you can’t help somebody change by leaving them on the outside.”
The Centre-back has not apologise for his series of tweets
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Folau,a Christian fundamentalist, is expected to appear at the 2023 Rugby World Cup and could again face hostility.
