Israel Folau committed high-level breach of players' code of conduct
A hearing has found rugby union player Israel Folau committed a "high-level breach" of the Professional Players' Code of Conduct over controversial social media posts.
Key points:
- The three-member panel is taking further submissions before considering possible sanctions
- Rugby Australia has reprimanded Folau before over his social media posts
- Folau has been backed by his church, other rugby players and his father
A decision has not yet been made on how he will be punished.
A panel of John West QC, Kate Eastman SC and John Boultee presided over the three-day hearing, and wants more information before deciding on potential punishments for Folau.
"The panel will now take further written submissions from the parties to consider the matter of sanction," Rugby Australia said in a statement on Tuesday night.
"A further update will be provided after the panel delivers its decision on sanctions."
The 30-year-old was stood down by Rugby Australia last month in the wake of controversial Instagram posts, including one proclaiming hell awaits "drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolaters".
After being issued with a conduct breach notice, which recommended his four-year contract worth $4 million be terminated, Folau launched a challenge, resulting in the hearing.
Rugby Australia had previously reprimanded Folau for targeting the LGBTQI community in his social media posts, warning him that it was against the values the sport's governing body stood for and telling him to cease.
Ahead of Folau's appearance at the hearing, Queensland Reds and Wallabies hooker Taniela Tupou took to Facebook to express his support for the under-fire superstar.
Folau, who has played 73 Tests for the Wallabies, was also backed by England star Billy Vunipola, who liked Folau's post and called for people to "live their lives how God intended".
As Folau was before the tribunal on Sunday for the second day of his disciplinary hearing, the congregation at his Sydney church prayed for him.
Folau's friend Evelyn Hema said the only judgment he was concerned about was God's.
"He doesn't care how he'll be persecuted in this world, where it's temporary, but it's in the afterlife when we all die," she said.
His father Eni Folau said he did not believe his son had breached his contract.
"For me and for him, we try to obey Him," Mr Folau said, pointing to the sky.