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Protester told to remove rainbow flag during Israel Folau’s debut for Catalan Dragons

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TWO supporters were told to remove their rainbow flag at Israel Folau’s Catalan Dragons debut.

Folau, 30, returned to rugby league last month after his sacking by Rugby Australia for posting homophobic comments on social media.

Two supporters were told they could not have their rainbow flags out at Israel Folau's Catalan Dragons debut
Two supporters were told they could not have their rainbow flags out at Israel Folau’s Catalan Dragons debut

And he took just six minutes to go over with a try for his new side in Perpignan as the Dragons ended Castleford Tiger’s 100 per cent start with a 36-18 victory.

However, the pair were left furious that their flag was not allowed inside the Stade Gilbert Brutus on “health and safety” grounds.

Tigers fan Alison Grey took to Twitter to share her experience.

Alongside a photo of her holding the flag – a symbol of LGBT pride – she wrote: “@SuperLeague @TheRFL @CTRLFC @DragonsOfficiel just been told I am not allowed this flag because the club does not allow it. How disgusting #loveislove #castleford #pride”

She also added: “I was twice asked to remove it. Firstly as I was told it was against health and safety. Secondly because it is against club policy.”

And the supporter later told Sky Sports: “When we said that there were other flags around the ground they gave up. They then came back to us later on and said it was against the views of the club to have the flags.”

Alison’s brother Chris tweeted another photo of his sister with the flag draped around her shoulders and said: “This is my sister at the @catalansdragons Vs @CTRLFC game. She has been asked to remove her rainbow flag at homophobic @IzzyFolau debut. Absolutely disgusting. @SuperLeague @TheRFL @PeterSmithYEP”

The Super League are now investigating the incident.

The league said: “Everybody should have the right to respectfully express their views. We are investigating. We will have more information by Monday.”

A Catalans Dragons spokesperson added: “Rainbow flags are not banned at our ground. It is not forbidden. We are gathering more information.”

Catalans coach Steve McNamara refused to comment on the incident.

He said: “I am here to talk about football, not political or religious views or whatever else it might be.

“I am here to talk about rugby league. That is what I know, that is what I do, not any of the other stuff.”

The Dragons were roundly slated for taking on the 30-year-old, sacked by Australia’s rugby union for a social media post which claimed “hell awaits” gay people.

Any repeat will see his one-year £200,000 contract torn up and the 30-year-old admitted the thought of jacking it all in crossed his mind.

Folau, who settled out of court with Rugby Australia and may play at Test level for Tonga, said when asked if he considered it: “Yes of course. I was thinking about stopping my career and doing something else.”

He was thrown in by Dragons boss Steve McNamara – who believes he does not deserve a “life sentence” of damnation – for his first match of either code in ten months.

And while he was roundly criticised for the post that cost him his job – paraphrasing a Bible passage saying “drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolaters” would go to hell unless they repent – being alone hit him hard.

Folau was controversially signed by the Dragons in January after being sacked by Rugby Australia
Folau was controversially signed by the Dragons in January after being sacked by Rugby Australia
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