Israel Folau has hit out at Rugby Australia in a letter addressed to its board days after launching legal proceedings against the governing body.
Folau’s lawyers filed an application at the Australian Fair Work Commission on Thursday, and are seeking a declaration that his employment was unfairly terminated.
However, in a confidential letter published by The Daily Telegraph, Folau has demanded to know how private details of his code of conduct hearing were leaked to the media.
‘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,’ Folau wrote.
‘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.
‘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.’
The letter was emailed to RA chief executive Raelene Castle and each of the 10 directors.
@IzzyFolau continues to be the better person, despite shockingly unjust treatment by Rugby Australia which didn’t end even after he was sacked for his religious beliefs. Here’s his letter to the RA board complaining about malicious self-serving leaks against him. #Folau pic.twitter.com/hKqHQjLjMD
— Miranda Devine (@mirandadevine) June 8, 2019
Photo: Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images
