Editorial: The danger of keeping Israel Folau on the team

Sporting stars Israel and Maria Folau. Photo / File

Wallabies fullback Israel Folau has caused a major stir with homophobic social media comments.

Six months ago he tweeted his opposition to gay marriage - now he's come out claiming on Instagram that gay people will go to hell, actually he said HELL, all caps, ramming the point home.

Maria Folau, a Kiwi sporting icon, has backed her husband.

You'd expect swift condemnation of such ignorance, but it seemed to arrive pretty slowly.

In fact, we still seem to be reading about whether his employers will take action (No, because it's his religious belief), or whether the Warriors would consider taking him in another code-switch (No, but for other reasons).

What the HELL? (See, I can do it too).

I'm normally one of the last people who would accept employers pressuring staff for expressing personal opinions, but frankly, being a major sports star changes the picture dramatically.

I've been involved in many arguments about whether sporting personalities are role models for children and young people.

I say they are, whether they like it or not.

That's why Folau's stance is so dangerous.

Not only will young people get the message that using religion as an excuse for bigotry is permissible, as the Australian Rugby Union seems to be saying, but vulnerable gay youth are being given the message that they are not worth the dirt on Folau's rugby boots.

This is the real tragedy of it all, the idea that spreading such hate is okay in this day and age.

Folau has said his faith is more important than his job. To mix a sporting metaphor, the oval ball's in your court Rugby Australia. Folau needs to be gone.