It’s been reported that disgraced Australian rugby star Israel Folau will fight attempts to fire him for his homophobic statements on social media.

On Wednesday, Folau, 30, shared an image on Instagram declaring that “Hell awaits” gay people, sparking international outrage. On Twitter, in a comment on a news story about Tasmania becoming the first state in Australia to make the inclusion of gender optional on birth certificates, he also warned people to “repent and turn away from your evil ways.”

After rugby authorities could not reach Folau they announced on Thursday that“in the absence of compelling mitigating factors, it is our intention to terminate his contract.”

While the player has remained silent on the matter, Rugby Australia and the NSW Rugby Union confirmed in a statement on Friday that they had finally met with Folau in Sydney. While the player has remained silent on the matter, Rugby Australia and the NSW Rugby Union confirmed in a statement on Friday that they had finally met with Folau in Sydney. Read more via Mamba