Nigel Owens EXCLUSIVE: ‘My attitude towards Israel Folau and Billy Vunipola as a referee will not change’
The Welshman, the first openly gay man to referee at the top level of rugby, responds to the controversial social media post which led to Folau being sacked by Australia
Nigel Owens has insisted he will not treat Israel Folau or Billy Vunipola differently on the pitch despite the ongoing backlash over the former's homophobic social media posts.
One of rugby union's top referees, who is openly gay, has responded to the developments over the last week, which have seen Folau sacked by Rugby Australia and Vunipola formally warned by Saracens and the RFU.
Last week, 30-year-old full-back Folau posted an image on Instagram that read: “Drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolators - Hell awaits you.”
Accompanying the picture, he added his own message, writing: “Those that are living in Sin will end up in Hell unless you repent. Jesus Christ loves you and is giving you time to turn away from your sin and come to him.”
His comments sparked a huge backlash online, which England star Vunipola then became embroiled in when he 'liked' the post – which remains online – and then defended its Christian message.
Folau has since insisted he ‘shared it with love’ but could ‘see the other side of the coin where people's reactions are the total opposite to how I'm sharing it’.
Folau has previously been warned about similar comments he made on social media last year, and on Monday his contract as an Australia international was terminated.
Welshman Owens, who has refereed more than 150 international matches, joined talkSPORT on Tuesday to offer his reaction to the news.
And, asked if he still respects Folau, he told host Jim White: “I respect that somebody has the right to have that opinion, but I don’t agree with the opinion.
“I think, although everybody had the right to have his view, you then have to understand there are consequences when you express a view that can be very, very hurtful to lot of people.
“When you do cross that line of what is acceptable and what is not, particularly when you’re in a position of influence, then you have to take responsibility for your actions.
“But, look, I don’t judge people. I have a job to do on that field and I will just referee what’s in front of me and treat every player on the field the same and with respect.
“That’s all I need to do as a referee and that’s all I will ever do.
“I’ve refereed those players in the past many times and they’ve treated me with respect every time I’ve officiated them.”
Owens was speaking to talkSPORT in association with Samaritans, in an honest and open interview about his struggles with mental health and his sexuality.
He explained he respects anyone with religious beliefs, having grown up with religious influences in his life, but added:
“This would be the message from me - I think you should judge people on the person they are, not on the colour of their skin, not on their sexual orientation, not on their religious beliefs or their political views. Just judge somebody on the decent person that they are.
“There are some things in your life you can choose, but sexuality is not one of them.
“I respect people who are brought up with religious beliefs. Some who are entrenched and will follow those religious beliefs no matter how narrow minded they may be to the rest of us, but that is their belief and I understand that and respect that.
“But I also like them to understand and respect that this is who I am.
“I am glad rugby has allowed me to be who I am, that rugby is an inclusive sport for everybody involved in it.
“That, I think, is the important message from the huge majority of people out there in rugby, that it is an inclusive sport for everybody involved with it.
“That’s what we can all learn from this.”