Rugby Australia and Folau saga hits 'disappointing' path
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Sacked Wallabies fullback Israel Folau has not only launched legal action, but the star has hit out at the entire RA board for leaking the minutes of his Code of Conduct hearing.
A report in The Telegraph this evening contained a letter issued by Israel Folau to the Rugby Australia Board.
In the letter, Folau demanded answers on how intimate details of his Code of Conduct hearing, which was meant to be private, came to fall into the hands of rugby journalist Jamie Pandaram.
The letter, signed by Folau, was emailed to each of the 10 directors, including CEO Raelene Castle and chairman Cameron Clyne.
READ: FOLAU SUES RUGBY AUSTRALIA FOR MILLIONS
Folau wrote: “This is blatantly unfair. As you know, the tribunal hearing must be closed and private, and Rugby Australia was obliged to keep all information confidential,”
“I would like to know why Rugby Australia has not managed to maintain the integrity of its processes and ensure that information was kept private and confidential,”
Folau addressed other comments which were leaked by RA as being patently untrue and accused them of lying.
“For example, I am not ‘sick of rugby’ and whoever told the media that I am is telling lies,” he wrote.
“Another example is the way the media has been told that your expectations were made clear to me by Ms Castle. We all know that is far from the truth.
“It makes me sad that these things have apparently been told to the media by someone at Rugby Australia. If you are not the source, why has no-one come out to set the record straight?”
“I decided not to appeal the panel’s findings because I wasn’t confident you would treat me fairly if I did. This week’s media shows my instincts were right.”
READ: RUGBY AUSTRALIA, NSW RESPOND TO FOLAU’S LEGAL ACTION
Rugby Australia released a statement on Saturday, acknowledging the existence of the letter.
However, the RA board is adamant that they have always “acted with complete professionalism and integrity,” and also stated that they “will not engage in a running media commentary”
Source: DailyTelegraph
