Editorial: Israel Folau signing threatens to darken Rugby League's inclusive past

As someone who has followed rugby league my whole life, I can say that I am proud of our sport and its inclusive nature. For all criticisms aimed at it, the Rugby Football League has been an industry leader when it comes to welcoming the LGBT community into the sport.

You may not have heard about them, but here are some examples.

• In 2008, the RFL were the first major sporting organisation to join the Stonewall programme against homophobia. The RFL set up a diversity forum at the same time.
• In 2010, the RFL The RFL developed the paper “Guidance for Rugby League Clubs – Challenging Anti Gay (homophobic) Abuse and Behaviour” and presented it at Parliament.
• In the early 2010’s, The RFL were named in the Stonewall Top 100 Employers Index for three successive years.
• The RFL’s website writes of a link with “Pride Sports”
• The RFL have information on the website regarding how clubs can offer support to LGBT participants.

How many of these were you aware of? Before I started research for this piece, my answer would have been zero. Yet, after the news that Catalan Dragons have signed Israel Folau, many both inside and outside of our sport will see us as a sport that places equality low down its priority list.

To an extent, the RFL have been placed in an invidious position. Act as they have, and they are accused of intolerance. Refuse Israel Folau's registration and they risk a potential multi-million pound litigation that may bankrupt the sport.

For those who don't know, Folau took legal action over his sacking from Australian Rugby Union, claiming several million dollars. An out-of-court settlement on unknown terms was reached.

Although in other ways, the RFL should be scrutinised. Today, the RFL said that "the moral responsibility for deciding whether to sign a player sits with individual clubs". Compare that to last year when it said "The RFL board has ultimate discretion to refuse to register a player where it may bring the game into disrepute". The contradicition is glaring.

As a heterosexual male who has never had to experience the unpleasantness of abuse and vitirol based on my sexuality, to opine on the issue would be to lecture. It is important to listen to the likes of Keegan Hirst.

I’m shocked and disappointed at the signing of @IzzyFolau. Our great game is tasked with fighting against homophobia and standing up for the values it puts such high stock in. It shows none of the bravery, cameraderie or integrity @rfl expects from its players, staff and fans

— Keegan Hirst (@KeeganHirst) January 28, 2020

His above tweet shows that the only openly-gay professional rugby league player has been made to feel as a minimum, uncomfortable due to the presence of another player who not just possesses, but publicises inflammatory views, which are incompatible with the views of the wider sport and of society as a whole.

As with all matters, there are a contrast of views. These views from Louise Woodward-Styles, a Salford Red Devils fan, were particularly thought-provoking:

As a proud and out gay woman I will welcome #IsraelFalou to the Super League because unlike him I chose not to hurt and offend others because of something they were born with. You chose how you behave in life. So let's show him that he can change that warped view he has. https://t.co/wjfbr75cMj

— LouiseWoodwardStyles (@MrsLouiseWS) January 28, 2020

Maybe it's just me but I'd rather show that tolerance and acceptance will always prevail over the bigotry and hateful opinions of the religiously brainwashed. It's through education and actions that we teach others that they are absolutely wrong to believe the things they do.

— LouiseWoodwardStyles (@MrsLouiseWS) January 28, 2020

Whilst trying to steer clear of offering an opinion, we as a sport have people convicted of criminal offences from drink-driving to assualt to domestic violence in our professional competitions. We have those who have taken illegal drugs. We welcome and at times revear many who have committed deplorable acts. We chant their names and cheer them like heros. On those occasions, we seperate the man from the player.

Is that right? One view is that we hyprocritcally worship those who but for their on-field talent and the team colours they wear, we would abhor. The alternative view would be that rugby league offers sanctum to young men who often suffered from troubled upbringings and pasts, and give them a chance to earn a living, support their families and change their ways.

The majority of the focus both in this piece and in the press as a whole has been on the RFL and Super League. But it is the Catalan Dragons who made the signing. Their squad had no recognised centre before today. They seemingly took the view that the media fooforaw will pass and Folau's unquestionable rugby league talent means that today's negative publicity will be outweighed by the benefit to their team going forward.

Criticism of the decision to allow Folau into the sport should be aimed squarely at the club rather than the game. Folau's return to rugby league poses many questions and fervent debate. 

One thing that cannot be questioned though is that the negative perception of rugby league, whether it is fair or not, arising from the signature may take some time to wash off. We, whether a fan, a blogger, a club, an admnistrator or in whatever other capacity we are involved in rugby league, must redouble our efforts to ensure this sport is inclusive and welcoming to all.