Controversial cross-code footy star Israel Folau has stunned footy fans by sending former NRL player Kane Evans a message of support after he came out as gay.
Evans, 34, became the first rugby league player to come out in more than 30 years as he revealed his sexuality in an emotional interview on Channel Nine on Monday night.
His first Instagram post after the announcement – in which he said ‘I love and accept who I am’ – was greeted with two love-heart emojis by Folau.
Love-heart emojis are widely interpreted as a show of support, friendship or affection.
Folau’s reaction comes as a shock after he was sacked by Rugby Australia for publishing controversial anti-LGBTQ+ commentary in 2019.
The former Melbourne Storm and GWS Giants star’s statement on Evans’ post has been liked more than 80 times – but it also drew some negative reactions, with footy fans taking aim at him for what they saw as hypocrisy.
Folau (pictured with wife Maria) has backed Kane Evans after the former Roosters star came out as gay on Monday
Kane Evans (pictured) posted to Instagram about his announcement, which has won praise right across Australian sport
Pictured: Folau’s comment on Evans’ post, which saw some footy fans accuse the former Wallabies star of hypocrisy
‘This is a bit rich buddy,’ one person wrote.
‘Didn’t you get stripped of your whole career for standing on beliefs? Here you are commenting on a gay guy’s post,’ another commented.
‘That doesn’t work when his beliefs call for the death of homosexual people,’ added a third.
Folau was sacked by Rugby Australia after an independent tribunal found him guilty of a high-level breach of the players’ code of conduct for publishing an Instagram post saying ‘hell awaits’ homosexual people.
After the decision was handed down, Folau took legal action against Rugby Australia and sought $14million in damages.
The former Wallaby claimed his dismissal was an unlawful termination as a result of his religious beliefs.
Both parties then reached a confidential, out-of-court settlement that was reportedly worth millions of dollars to Folau.
The NRL responded to the scandal over Folau’s ‘hell awaits’ remark by saying he would not be allowed to sign a contract to play in the league.
Folau (pictured with wife Maria) was axed by Rugby Australia in 2019 over an Instagram post in which he said ‘hell awaits’ homosexual people
The former Melbourne Storm and GWS Giants star reportedly wants to sign to play for the Wests Tigers, but the club has shot down the idea
‘Israel Folau fails the NRL’s inclusiveness culture, which is a policy strongly supported by the ARLC,’ then-Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter Beattie said.
The news comes just after Folau was reportedly blocked from making a return to the NRL.
The 37-year-old was believed to be in talks with the Wests Tigers in relation to making a stunning return – but new reports have suggested the club has said no.
It was claimed the controversial superstar could leave Urayasu D-Rocks in the Japanese rugby competition to join the NRL club on a train-and-trial contract.
The Tigers reportedly refused to consider signing him, and it is not known whether Folau is trying to sign with any other NRL teams.
