The wife of controversial athlete Israel Folau has lashed out at the NRL supremo Peter V’Landys over the Manly Sea Eagles pride jersey debacle. 

Seven first grade players have refused to play during Thursday night’s match because they would be required to wear a rainbow ‘Pride’ jersey, citing religious and cultural reasons. 

Folau – whose husband Israel was at the centre of a national controversy after he was sacked by Rugby Australia over tweets about homosexuality – weighed in on the drama on Thursday. 

Maria Folau (pictured with her husband Israel has lashed out at Australian Rugby League Commission boss Peter V’landys for his comments over the Manly Sea Eagles pride jersey debacle

Ms Folau labelled V’Landys a hypocrite and suggested her husband was treated like a donkey by the sporting commission (pictured)

‘The hypocrisy from this man and his organisation @nrl #PeterVlandys what a joke,’ Ms Folau fumed on Instagram.

The former Silver Fern netball player was fired up about comments V’Landys made about the scandal saying: ‘We’re all human beings at the end of the day. 

‘But at the same time, you have to respect the player’s religious and cultural beliefs. Those players are taking a stance, and they have every right to.’ 

Israel Folau wanted to join the NRL last year but failed to sign a contract after an intense backlash from fans. 

Ms Folau raged on Instagram: ‘We’re all human beings at the end of the day … Umm so what’s Izzy?? (Israel) ….A donkey?’ 

Israel Folau (right) career ended in 2019 after he refused to take down an Instagram post where he wrote ‘hell awaits’ homosexuals and other sinners and quoted Bible scripture

Israel Folau’s career ended in 2019 after he refused to take down an Instagram post where he wrote ‘hell awaits’ homosexuals and other sinners and quoted Bible scripture. 

His Rugby Australia contract was torn up in the wake of the comments, sparking a court case and national controversy.   

Folau launched legal action against Rugby Australia and club side the Waratahs claiming his playing contract was unlawfully terminated because of his religion. 

The 33-year-old was seeking $14million in compensation but received an $8million payout in an out-of-court settlement as Rugby Australia apologised to the former Wallabies fullback in a humiliating backdown to spare the sporting body a lengthy court battle.

Peter V’landys (pictured) weighed in on the Manly Sea Eagles pride jersey debacle and said players should be respected for their religious and cultural beliefs despite calling Israel Folau ‘not inclusive’ for religious views he shared in 2019

After Folau signalled his desire to join the NRL, V’landys said he would decide whether Folau would be allowed to play 

In October 2019, when V’Landys became the chairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission he shut down Folau’s NRL comeback.

‘The game is inclusive. The comments of Israel are not inclusive,’ Mr V’Landys said.   

‘When I was a kid and kids used to get bashed up because they were different, I used to go and defend them. And a lot of them, it’s because their role models or their peers made them that way.

‘I have no tolerance for people that put other people’s lives (at risk) or (commit) violence. It’s a big statement to make.

‘With due respect to Israel, what he says, young kids listen to. He is a role model. They act on it. And when you’re a kid at school and you get bashed up because you’re different, I don’t think that’s a good thing.’ 

Seven Manly Sea Eagles players will miss Thursday night’s crucial clash against the Roosters because they were unwilling to wear the club’s jersey featuring rainbow stripes due to their beliefs. 

It’s since been revealed Josh Aloiai, Jason Saab, Christian Tuipulotu, Josh Schuster, Haumole Olakau’atu, Tolu Koula and Toafofoa Sipley have been told to stay away from the match at 4 Pines Park in Sydney’s northern beaches due to safety concerns.

Sean Keppie, Kieran Foran and Reuben Garrick are among the 17 Manly players who will proudly wear the controversial jersey on Thursday night

Manly are the only club to wear a pride jersey this weekend, becoming the first team in the 114-year history of the competition to wear such a design.

The historic jersey celebrates inclusivity, with the traditional white piping replaced by rainbow lines.

The jersey sold out in the men’s, women’s and kids section on Manly’s website just hours after the player boycott.

It’s understood Manly players were only told on Monday, despite it being in the works at the club for more than 12 months.