'He should be able to say what he wants': Kyle Sandilands DEFENDS Israel Folau after the rugby star said 'hell awaits' for gay people
- Folau, 30, was found guilty of a high-level breach of his $4million contract
- Sandilands said the Wallabies rugby player should be free to express his opinion
- The radio shock jock said it didn't matter if people were offended by Folau's post
- Folau shared social media post saying hell awaited homosexuals, those in 'sin'
Radio shock jock Kyle Sandilands has defended rugby star Israel Folau for saying gay people will go to hell.
Folau, 30, was found guilty of a high-level breach of his $4million contract with Rugby Australia after he shared an Instagram post to his 354,000 followers in April saying 'hell awaits' those who are 'living in sin' unless they 'repent'.
He had made similar comments in 2018 and was warned to stop by Rugby Australia.
Sandilands dismissed concerns over Folau's beliefs, saying the Wallabies fullback should be free to express his opinions.
'Yeah I like gay people, [I've] got no issue, I don't like making gay people feel bad, but, who am I to tell him what his thoughts should be?' Sandilands said on his KIIS radio show on Friday.
Radio shock jock Kyle Sandilands has defended rugby star Israel Folau for saying gay people will go to hell
Folau (pictured with wife Maria), 30, was found guilty of a high-level breach of his $4million contract with Rugby Australia after he shared an Instagram post to his 354,000 followers
'He should be able to say what he wants - sure it might hurt someone's feelings, but if that's his belief...'
Co-host Jackie O challenged Sandilands on the issue, saying Folau's social media post 'caused people hurt'.
'Is it really necessary to put it out there, with the amount of followers he has?' Jackie O said.
Sandliands and Jackie O have been outspoken supporters of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras festival. They appeared on a float during the 2019 festival and hosted a live broadcast from the event.
Former NRL star Beau Ryan, who was also on Friday morning's show, said he was 'super torn' about Folau's controversial views.
'I love freedom of speech... everyone gets a platform, rugby league players, AFL, rugby union, they've got a bigger platform because kids look up to these guys,' Ryan said.
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'When people are hurt I don't like it... I've got gay friends, gay family and they mean a lot to me, and I can't support that. At the same time, I like freedom of speech.
'He can have his own opinion and his own religious beliefs... but he doesn't need to post it.'
Sandilands agreed with Ryan, saying Folau didn't need to 'squeeze [his beliefs] down other people's throats'.
Ryan said children could be negatively influenced by Folau's post.
'Think about a young rugby player who looks up to Israel Folau now, who is maybe struggling with coming out, might be gay, how do they feel?'
Meanwhile, Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce said he supports RA's approach to dealing with Folau.
Qantas are one of Rugby Australia's major sponsors, and Mr Joyce - who is gay - said he was 'quite happy' with moves to terminate Folau's contract.
RA asked Folau to take down the post as it would be seen as remorseful and allow the breach to be downgraded to a mid or low-level but he refused
'We don't sponsor something to get involved in controversy. That's not part of the deal,' Mr Joyce told the Australian Financial Review.
'We expect our partners to take the appropriate action. It's their issue, they have to deal with it.
'It's not an issue for Qantas, it's an issue for every potential sponsor for Rugby Australia, ever. They have to manage it.. and shame on you if it happens a second time. That's the way we approach it in the aviation industry, and we expect these organisations to be the same.'
Folau was found guilty of a 'high-level' breach of his contract with Rugby Australia during a three-day hearing, meaning the agreement could be terminated.
RA asked Folau to take down the post as it would be seen as remorseful and allow the breach to be downgraded to a mid or low-level but he refused, the Daily Telegraph reported.
Folau had also rejected a $1million payout offer from RA.
He will become the first Australian athlete dismissed for expressing fundamental religious beliefs if he's sacked by Rugby Australia.
Folau has played 73 tests for the Wallabies and is Super Rugby's all-time leading try-scorer.
He signed with Rugby Australia after playing in the NRL and AFL earlier in his career.
Folau told radio host Alan Jones that he was 'at peace' and his 'head is held high' despite the controversy.
He will become the first Australian athlete dismissed for expressing fundamental religious beliefs if he's sacked.from Rugby Australia. Pictured: Israel and Maria Folau leave a code of conduct hearing
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