WATCH: Rugby Australia chief sacks Folau

Cape Town - In confirming the termination of Israel Folau’s contract, Rugby Australia chief executive Raelene Castle reiterated that the Wallabies star had ‘left us with no choice’.

Devoutly Christian Wallabies star Israel Folau was sacked on Friday for homophobic comments in a case that sparked a bitter debate and looks to have ended his glittering career in Australia.

The fullback was found guilty of a "high-level" breach of rugby's code of conduct last week, with a three-person tribunal deciding it warranted the termination of his lucrative A$4m four-year contract.

He has 72 hours to appeal. If he goes down this road, there will be another hearing with different panellists, before a potentially drawn-out court battle.

Folau went to the tribunal to challenge Rugby Australia's intention to fire him after he posted that "hell awaits" gay people and others he says are sinners.

'He left us with no choice but to pursue this course of action.'

Rugby Australia has held a press conference to announce the termination of Israel Folau's contract for a social media post which was critical of gay people.

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— Sky News (@SkyNews) May 17, 2019