Israel Folau's GoFundMe appeal shut down by crowdfunding website

Rugby Australia terminated Folau's multimillion-dollar contract last month after he posted a photo to Instagram in April that said homosexuals were destined for hell unless they repented of their sins.

Folau, 30, launched legal proceedings with the Fair Work Commission and said that, if a deal is not struck with RA, he would take the matter to the High Court. He set up the GoFundMe page in the hope of receiving $3 million in donations.

But GoFundMe Australia released a statement to the Sydney Morning Herald on Monday saying the Folau appeal breached the organisation's terms and conditions.

"Today we will be closing Israel Folau's campaign and issuing full refunds to all donors. After a routine period of evaluation, we have concluded that this campaign violates our terms of service," GoFundMe Australia regional manager Nicola Britton said.

"As a company, we are absolutely committed to the fight for equality for LGBTIQ+ people and fostering an environment of inclusivity.

"While we welcome GoFundMes engaging in diverse civil debate, we do not tolerate the promotion of discrimination or exclusion.

"In the days since Mr Folau's campaign launched, more than one million dollars have been donated to hundreds of other campaigns, large and small, across Australia. Those acts of kindness are the heart of GoFundMe.

"Our platform exists to help people help others. Australians have shown themselves to be among the most kind and generous people in the world. We look forward to helping more Australians fundraise for causes they care about in the coming months and years."

GoFundMe's fine print says the crowdfunding site cannot be used for "campaigns we deem, in our sole discretion, to be in support of, or for the legal defense of alleged crimes associated with hate, violence, harassment, bullying, discrimination, terrorism, or intolerance of any kind relating to race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation or sex."

While Folau's GoFundMe page soared past the $580,000 mark on Saturday, there were growing calls for the "hypocritical" website, which proudly displays a gay pride flag on its social media accounts, to shut down the fundraising exercise.

In an Instagram post on Saturday evening, Folau, a multimillionaire, recognised those who had parted with their hard-earned cash for what he has described as "the fight of my life".

"Thank you to all those who have given to my Legal Action Fund so far," Folau wrote to his 363,000 Instagram followers. "I am humbled and overwhelmed by the support I have received, for which I am very grateful.

"I have received thousands of messages from supporters who believe discrimination in the workplace is wrong and has no place in Australia or anywhere else."

On Friday, Rugby Australia head Raelene Castle said she did not think that trying to make money on GoFundMe - a website normally used for causes such as raising money for sick children or those in real need - was an appropriate strategy.

Folau fired back, saying he had no regrets asking for $3 million in donations.

"Unsurprisingly, I have been criticised by Rugby Australia and some sections of the media overnight," he wrote.

"While the attacks against me have shown I have a big fight on my hands, I will stand strong.

"I decided to take legal action when Rugby Australia terminated my employment contract and ended my playing career after I expressed my religious beliefs on social media.

"Sadly, Rugby Australia have said that they will devote significant resources to fight me in court. This shows I have a long and hard battle on my hands, which is why I am asking for your support."

Folau's decision to ask the public for money ignited fierce debate as to whether it was the right thing to do but clearly he believes he will be significantly out of pocket as he plans to take RA to the High Court if he does not receive a payout of his contract and other damages.

A number of Folau's teammates - including NSW and Australian captain Michael Hooper and other players Bernard Foley and Will Genia - publicly expressed their disappointment in his comments.

Waratahs stalwart Nick Phipps also said he felt NSW "haven't really been given the opportunity" to play Super Rugby finals, given how distracted they were during most of their season.

A three-person independent panel ruled that Folau had breached RA's professional players' code of conduct, although Folau believes there was nothing in his contract to say he couldn't post such a message.

"After the first initial incident that happened last year I had a meeting with Raelene and we spoke about the potential effect it could have within the game," Folau said. She said I was able to share my religious beliefs but just do it in a more respectful way.

"It's been a tough few months for myself and my wife Maria and also my family. A lot of this stuff doesn't quite make any sense. It's been a little bit inconsistent and it's been tough but the process is in place already.

"I'm thankful I have my faith. That has always given me the strength to get through and a lot of people out there have their opinions and views on the situation. It's all done and dusted now. I'm just thinking about the process that is happening right now."

Under a disclaimer at the bottom of the GoFundMe page, there was no guarantee all the money would even go towards his legal costs.

The disclaimer read: "In making this contribution I acknowledge that my contributions are made freely as a gift on the basis previously affirmed and that there will be no obligations on Israel Folau to do anything for me in recognition of the gift or to apply the funds in any particular way with respect to his legal action, and that I hold no expectation to receive anything in return for my contribution."

There was nothing stopping Folau from taking more money than the cost of his legal fees.