England No. 8 Billy Vunipola was formally warned about his future conduct by his club side Saracens after defending an anti‑gay post published on Instagram by Australia rugby star Israel Folau.
In a statement on the club's website, Vunipola stated his intention was never to cause suffering, but he stopped short of offering an apology.
Saracens said in a statement that Vunipola made a serious error of judgment in publicly sharing his opinion which is inconsistent with the values of the club and contravenes his contractual obligations.
Rugby Australia is terminating the contract of Folau after he ignored a previous warning about the content of his posts on social media by publishing a message on his Instagram account last week saying that hell awaits people like drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves and atheists.
Vunipola wrote his own post, saying Folau was trying to say that how people live their lives needs to be closer to how God intended them to be.
Meanwhile in the Super Rugby this week, the Chiefs meet the Lions at 7.35pm Friday and the Sunwolves take on the Hurricanes at 10pm.
On Saturday, the Sharks take on the Reds at 1.05am, the Blues take on the Highlanders at 7.35pm Saturday, the Waratahs take on the Rebels at 9.45pm while the Stormers play the Brumbies at 1.05am Sunday.
[Source: BBC]
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