'I'm standing up for God': Australians pledge $270K in hours to fund sacked Wallabies star Israel Folau's legal costs in his battle against Rugby Australia - as he breaks his silence on Alan Jones
- Israel Folau, 30, was sacked from Wallabies last month for homophobic posts
- The Christian has launched legal proceedings with the Fair Work Commission
- Folau says he is being unfairly punished for his deeply held religious beliefs
- He is asking fans to donate $3million to fund his legal battle in the courts
- Speaking to Alan Jones, Folau said he did not mean to offend gay people
Australians have already pledged more than $150,000 in just three days to help sacked Wallabies star Israel Folau in his legal battle against Rugby Australia.
The 30-year-old was sacked last month for his comments on social media, including claiming that homosexuals are destined for hell unless they repent for their sins.
The devout Christian, who has hosted a series of controversial church sermons in Sydney, has launched legal proceedings with the Fair Work Commission against Rugby Australia and is seeking up to $10million in damages.
On Friday morning he spoke publicly about the saga for the first time on Alan Jones' 2GB radio show.
The star said he did not intend to offend gay people and revealed he is motivated by 'standing up for the word of God'.
The 30-year-old (center with his family as a child) was sacked after he made repeated homophobic comments on social media, claiming that homosexuals are destined for hell unless they repent for their sins
Folau launched a GoFundMe page on Tuesday asking for donations for his legal bills.
By Friday morning, more than 1,000 people had donated including one anonymous donor who pledged $10,000.
Folau signed a four-year contract in 2018 worth an estimated $5million and has been one of the country's best paid sportsmen since joining rugby union in 2013.
But despite his significant wealth, he is asking members of the public to donate $3million to fund his legal fees.
The fullback of Tongan descent said he and his wife Maria have spent $100,000 of his own money on legal bills so far - but are bracing for much higher fees to come.
'That was just to try and deal with Rugby Australia's internal tribunal processes.
'The money I am asking for is solely to fund the rest of my action in court,' he wrote on his GoFundMe page.
Rugby Australia sacked Folau over homophobic Instagram posts because it deemed he breached his contract which stated he must treat people equally and fairly.
Folau says he was only sharing a message from the Bible and his sacking was 'unlawful' and cost him the 'best years' of his playing career.
His fundraising page features a video of him talking to the camera cut with pictures of his childhood.
The fullback of Tongan descent said he and his wife Maria (pictured together) have spent $100,000 of his own money on legal bills so far - but are bracing for much higher fees to come
Folau (pictured right with family as a child) says he was only sharing a message from the Bible and is being punished for his religious beliefs
In a plea for donations, he says: 'Rugby Australia has an army of lawyers at their disposal and they have already said they will divert significant resources to fight me in court.
'The cost to me and my family of continuing my legal action against Rugby Australia is expected to be significant.
'Since my contract was terminated by Rugby Australia, I've been overwhelmed and humbled by support received from family, friends, fans and the public.
'Even people who don't share my beliefs have defended my right to uphold and express them.
Folau shared this social media post claiming homosexuals were going to hell unless they 'repent' - and he refused to apologise
'They made me realise that I'm not just fighting for my future and my family, I'm fighting for what's right. But I can't do it alone.
'If you want to join this journey with me, to fight for the right to freedom of religion, please donate. Thank you and God bless.'
Speaking to Alan Jones on Radio 2GB on Friday morning, Folau said he did not mean to offend people with his homophobic posts.
'From my perspective this comes from a place of love... so they can repent if they chose to and turn away from that and can go to heaven.'
Explaining why he is taking Rugby Australia on, he said: 'My principle and my faith are what's driving me from the get-go.
'My faith defines me as a person
'My identity is my faith - that's why I want to stand up for the word of God.'
Folau lodged a claim on 6 June, claiming his sacking breached Section 772 of the Fair Work Act.
The clause states it is unlawful to terminate employment on the grounds of religion.
On Sunday, Folau launched another attack on gay people and also criticised young people being allowed to change gender during a sermon at his Sydney church.
He described homosexuality as a sin and claimed the devil was behind primary school children being allowed to decide if they wanted to change gender.
'This is what the devil is trying to do, to instill into the government, into this world, into society, and it is slowly happening,' Folau said in his Sunday sermon at The Truth of Jesus Christ Church in Kenthurst.
'The sad thing is why a lot of people out there that are non-Christians say bad things about the church, is because a lot of the churches allow those things to happen.
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'They say that a man and a man should be able to be married and there is nothing wrong with it. This buys into the theme of pleasing man rather than pleasing God and standing up for the truth.'
The 30-year-old's rant was posted on the church's Facebook page.
Folau also criticised modern 'westernised' churches and said true believers in Christ 'profess him wherever we go'.
'Are we too scared because we might be cast out by our workplace or cast out of somewhere because we're not liked or loved by those around us and don't believe the same thing we do?' he asked.
'You might be the only born-again Christian in that workplace, you might feel a bit awkward with your co-workers because they are in the world and you're not. We should feel blessed... because God has called us.'
Israel Folau has launched legal action against Rugby Australia after he was sacked for homophobic Instagram posts
