What a difference a day makes!
Former professional rugby player Israel Folau launched a GoFundMe page this week to raise money for his legal expenses after having his four-year $5 million contract with the New South Wales Waratahs canceled after he posted series of homophobic diatribes on social media in April.
Yesterday, Folau had only raised $1,300 towards his $3 million goal. Today, he’s raised more than $460,000 and counting from almost 6,000 individuals.
Some donors have used their real names when handing over their money. Others have been putting down fake names, including those of convicted terrorists.
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Why so many people are rushing to aide Folau, who is already a multimillionaire, is a mystery. Then again, homophobes aren’t exactly known for being the smartest, most rational people.
According to the Australian Business Review, Folau has a $5.6 million property portfolio that includes seven different properties in and around Sydney.
The 30-year-old lives with his wife in a five bedroom, 5-acre property just outside of Sydney and drives a $500,000 Lamborghini.
Adding to the absurdity of it all is the fact that Folau has made absolutely no promises that he’s going to use the money for his legal expenses, which will likely cost far less than $3 million.
According to Josh Bornstein, a well-regarded employment lawyer from Melbourne and director of the Australia Institute, a progressive think tank, Folau’s case will probably cost closer to $300,000.
Israel Folau’s case should not cost more than 300k
— Josh Bornstein (@JoshBBornstein) June 21, 2019
The Sydney Morning Herald reports:
While Folau asks for money “in order to support my legal action”–he claims he has already spent $100,000 of his own–a disclaimer at the bottom of the page makes it clear that there does not have to be a money trail for those who stump up the cash.
The disclaimer reads: “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.”
Of course, there’s a still a chance Folau won’t see a dime of any of the money he’s raised.
GoFundMe’s policy states that users cannot use the platform to raise funds “for the legal defense of … intolerance of any kind relating to race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, sex, gender or gender identity, or serious disabilities or diseases.”
The fundraising platform has yet to respond to any requests for comment on the matter.
Related: Homophobic rugby player asks fans for $3 million to cover his legal bills after being fired
Jared MacBride
GoFundMe – where scammers go for free cash.
Vince
This looks like a clear violation of Gofundme’s policy. Hmm…
For some reason you mention the big bad gay and all of a sudden the wallets start opening up. It’s pavlovian with these Christian loons and the grifters know it very well.
Cam
If enough media questions gofundme I hope they will do what they’ve done before, cancel the fundraising and return all of the money.
(Even better if all of the money got transferred to something like the Trevor Project, that would make bigots heads explode.
Wicked Dickie
It’s Australia, what do you expect?
Doug
This is yet another reminder of how many homophobes are out there.
marion
The value of donations doesn’t surprise me. The islander religious community is a very close knit grouping, even the poorer members have no problem giving donations and alms for their beliefs. This is a grouping that has not been impacted by divisive identity politics.
charlieeod74
A fool and his money are soon parted. And, as PT Barnum said, “There is a sucker born every minute”. This guy is supposed to be a Christian???
shannestad
The amount went from 1300.00 to 500000 in a day, Maybe we should not be bringing the story to light.
How much of that raised was because gay sites reported on it?
Chrisk
No doubt many Christian sites reported on it and that gave it an initial push.
Inspector 57
How much would it cost to get someone to break both of his legs?
I think I need to go to GoFundMe.
ShiningSex
shut it down. more people should report it. he’s scum. those giving him money are scum.
bonbon
It’s slowed down drastically so it won’t get anywhere near $3 million.
nitejonboy
I reported it as a scam and I encourage all of you to do the same, get it shut down. His funds are being used to defend his hate speech, a violation of gofundme’s rules!
James
Chrixtian trash. Jesus never knew them.
Bryguyf69
First, I commend the various Australian rugby associations for getting rid of him. It could not have been an easy decision since he was a star player on the brink of breaking a record. In fact, Australia is only months away from an international rugby competition so his absence matters. Good to see principles trumping sports.
Bryguyf69
Apparently, he’s a unrepentant offender. He was first given a warning in April for posting that “hell awaits…drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists, idolaters”.
I wonder how many rugby fans that encompasses, especially drunks.
Al
This guy thought he’d go overseas and make more dough so he violated his contract posting how all the sinners are going to hell (he included drunks – lots of compassion for people struggling with alcohol issues) and he got sacked. He looked overseas and oh no no one was that interested so now he has to find his mortgage and car repayments some other way. He’s as thick as three planks and so are his supporters who think they’re defending religious freedom but are funding a dumb as shit footballer.
And while we’re at it it says at Leviticus 19:28 ”You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord.” This idiot is covered in tatts. As our Lord said “Physican heal thyself”. I think he probably would also have said, while changing the water into wine “Let’s party without jerks like this spoiling the fun.” Greetings from Downunder.
Bryguyf69
Folau’s former teammate and Speedo- wearing rugby commentator, Drew Mitchell (drew_mitchell), just accused him of greed. In regards to the GoFundMe, he tweeted, “YOU are in a fight that YOU chose to be in after YOU broke the terms of YOUR contract, the kids below are in a fight they NEVER wanted to be in & yet YOU think YOU deserve donations more than they do??!! It’s no longer about religion, it’s about YOU and YOUR greed. IzzyFolau” All capitalizations are by Mitchell.
Vince
He’s complaining of all the lost endorsement deals. I agree that greed is his true motivation.
JJinAus
Gofundme has pulled the fundraising.