Israel Folau will reportedly lodge a legal challenge to his sacking within the next two days.
The Australian Financial Review reported the former Wallaby and Kangaroo had hired commercial law firm Macpherson Kelley to prepare a challenge after he was fired for an April 10 Instagram post saying homosexuals would go to hell.
Israel Folau's legal team will make their next move in coming days.Credit:AP
The firm's head of employment, George Haros, who has also represented Opals basketballer Liz Cambage and St Kilda AFL player Ahmed Saad, said Macpherson Kelley believed Rugby Australia had acted "unlawfully".
"We believe Rugby Australia and the Waratahs have acted unfairly and unlawfully in their treatment of Israel," Haros told the AFR.
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"Israel has several options available to him at this point, and we are considering his next steps."
Haros will work closely with top industrial relations silk Stuart Wood QC on a case the AFR reported was likely to involve claims of breach of contract and unlawful termination under the Fair Work Act, which protects employees from being sacked because of their religion.
No turning back: Israel Folau can pursue a number of avenues of appeal but must make a decision in the coming days.Credit:Louise Kennerley
Folau was sacked on May 20, giving him until next Monday to lodge an application to have his case heard in the Fair Work Commission, which is where he is expected to take up the legal fight.
In the football realm, it remains unclear where he will end up despite saying last month he wanted to keep playing professionally.
Despite reports on Wednesday that Folau could be welcomed back to the NRL if stipulations about his social media use were agreed upon, Australian Rugby League Commission chair Peter Beattie insisted the game's stance on his registration had not changed.
"The bottom line with all this is – and I have to say upfront that I don't really want to deal in hypotheticals – but the bottom line is that the post is still up," Beattie said.
Israel Folau once lit up State of Origin for Queensland, before moving to the AFL and then into rugby. Credit:AAPRead More – Source
Israel Folau will reportedly lodge a legal challenge to his sacking within the next two days.
The Australian Financial Review reported the former Wallaby and Kangaroo had hired commercial law firm Macpherson Kelley to prepare a challenge after he was fired for an April 10 Instagram post saying homosexuals would go to hell.
Israel Folau's legal team will make their next move in coming days.Credit:AP
The firm's head of employment, George Haros, who has also represented Opals basketballer Liz Cambage and St Kilda AFL player Ahmed Saad, said Macpherson Kelley believed Rugby Australia had acted "unlawfully".
"We believe Rugby Australia and the Waratahs have acted unfairly and unlawfully in their treatment of Israel," Haros told the AFR.
Advertisement
"Israel has several options available to him at this point, and we are considering his next steps."
Haros will work closely with top industrial relations silk Stuart Wood QC on a case the AFR reported was likely to involve claims of breach of contract and unlawful termination under the Fair Work Act, which protects employees from being sacked because of their religion.
No turning back: Israel Folau can pursue a number of avenues of appeal but must make a decision in the coming days.Credit:Louise Kennerley
Folau was sacked on May 20, giving him until next Monday to lodge an application to have his case heard in the Fair Work Commission, which is where he is expected to take up the legal fight.
In the football realm, it remains unclear where he will end up despite saying last month he wanted to keep playing professionally.
Despite reports on Wednesday that Folau could be welcomed back to the NRL if stipulations about his social media use were agreed upon, Australian Rugby League Commission chair Peter Beattie insisted the game's stance on his registration had not changed.
"The bottom line with all this is – and I have to say upfront that I don't really want to deal in hypotheticals – but the bottom line is that the post is still up," Beattie said.
Israel Folau once lit up State of Origin for Queensland, before moving to the AFL and then into rugby. Credit:AAPRead More – Source
