High-level breach from Israel Folau as hearing ends

Adam Kyriacou

Australia full-back Israel Folau’s code of conduct hearing has concluded following three days, but there’s no clear timeline on a decision.

The third day of the hearing for the Waratahs back was held at lawyers’ offices in Sydney on Tuesday and concluded shortly before 5pm AEST.

Folau is deemed to have committed a high-level breach of the Professional Players’ Code of Conduct with his social media posts on April 10.

However, a verdict on the case isn’t expected to be made immediately and indeed there is no timeline on when the final decision will arrive.

Rugby Australia (RA) had set aside two days for the hearing over the past weekend, both of which took place at the organisation’s offices.

With the offices back to normal operation in the week, the third day was moved to the offices of Herberts, Freehills Smith in Sydney’s CBD.

“The panel of John West QC (Chair), Kate Eastman SC, and John Boultee AM presided over the three-day hearing which commenced on May 4,” read a statement released by Rugby Australia on Tuesday.

“The panel has today provided a judgement that Israel Folau committed a high-level breach of the Professional Players’ Code of Conduct with his social media posts on April 10, 2019.

“The panel will now take further written submissions from the parties to consider the matter of sanction.”