St George Illawarra Dragons target Israel Folau for NRL return.
Israel Folau can return to the NRL after league chief Andrew Abdo stated he will consider a formal application as part of the due process.
Folau’s controversial past will be considered if St George Illawarra submits a formal application for him to join the club on a two-year contract.
It is understood that Dragons CEO Ryan Webb and Abdo have had private discussions over the last few weeks about bringing Folau back to the game in Australia, albeit no formal application has been lodged.
The NRL had stated that the 31-year-old former Queensland and Australia star will not be making a return.
However, the governing body is legally required to consider and assess any application submitted by the Dragons.
“Any player or official needs to be registered with the NRL and that process involves a number of diligence matters and that includes an assessment of the individual and that will take place,” Abdo said at a press conference on Tuesday.
“I don’t want to pre-empt what may or may not happen, it’s pure speculation at the moment because we don’t have a formal application, but when someone does make an application, of course there are professional factors that are taken into account and that will include things that have happened, I suppose, throughout his career and all of that needs to be weighed into our decision.”
Abdo indicated that NRL sponsorships and the game’s supporters will be considered when deciding if Folou will return.
“Our process around being fair to the athlete is first and foremost what the consideration will be, but any decision you make, you need to think about the fans and you need to think about your investors and sponsors and all of that will be taken into account,” he went on to say.
“But ultimately it’s the NRL’s decision.”
Folau has been playing rugby league for Catalans and is signed with them for the upcoming Super League season. The Dragons insist they have made no formal bids for the player and are expecting him to return to France in the coming weeks. “I can’t say this enough: he’s a Catalans Dragons player, and he’s contracted and registered with us until November,” the club’s CEO, Alex Chan, told the Guardian.
“Unless we are contacted and formal inquiries are made, there is nothing to report. Nothing has changed on our end. We have not put any pressure on him to return because of his family troubles, and we are entirely supportive of him and will give him the time and respect he requires before welcoming back.
According to Chan, Catalans have told Folau to “take as long as he needs” to deal with the concerns that prompted his return to Australia during the off-season. When asked if they had received any inquiries about his availability, Chan responded, “No.” Again, he is a contract player. He is our player. There will always be rumors when you have a terrific player like Izzy, but he’ll be with us until the end of November, as far as we’re concerned.”
If St George Illawarra drafts a contract, it is expected that Folau will be restricted by severe social media clauses, similar to how the Catalans did.
ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys has already remarked on Folau’s prospective return to the NRL, and was
“The game is inclusive. “Israel’s comments are not inclusive,” V’landys stated at the time. “When I was a kid, when kids were being bullied because they were different, I would go and defend them.
“And many of them are like this because their role models or peers influenced them. I have no tolerance for persons who endanger others’ lives or commit acts of violence. It’s a significant statement to make.
“With all due respect to Israel, small children listen to what he says. He’s a role model. They act on it. And when you’re a kid in school and you get bullied because you’re different, I don’t believe that’s a healthy thing.”
