James Haskell has taken to Twitter to address the backlash following a podcast that was released earlier this week.
The former England flanker had received criticism after some of Billy Vunipola’s controversial comments during the latest episode of The Good, The Bad & The Rugby podcast.
BEING 100% CLEAR I DO NOT AGREE WITH BILLYS VIEWS ON RELIGION. I AM ON RECORD DISAGREEING WITH HIM AND FOLAU. MY BROTHER
— James Haskell (@jameshaskell) August 21, 2020
IS GAY, I FIGHT FOR ANTI RACISM,
ANTI HOMOPHOBIA, ANTI OPPRESSION. I THOUGHT I SHOULD
MAKE THAT CLEAR FOR THE….. WELL YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE😂🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕
“100% clear I do not agree with Billy’s views on religion.” tweeted Haskell.
“I am on record disagreeing with him and Folau. My brother is gay, I fight for anti-racism, anti-homophobia, anti-oppression.”
Vunipola was summoned to talks by the RFU last year after he liked a social media post by the Australia full-back and fellow devout Christian Folau, who stated that “hell awaits” for “homosexuals”.
On the podcast, he said: “I could easily have been: ‘I’m not going to support this.’ I didn’t sleep for two or three days after I saw [Folau’s] post because something inside me was saying: ‘Do you actually believe in Jesus Christ or do you not?’” said Vunipola.
“I didn’t enjoy being ridiculed but at the same time what I did find comforting is that I stood up for my faith and I didn’t just fall by the wayside.
“[Now] I wouldn’t go about it the same way. I’d talk to whoever had any questions.
“If it happened again now and I was asked: ‘Billy, do you stand in support of it?’ I would have to say yes because I’ve made my position clear.”
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LIST: 12 of James Haskell’s Best Moments
1. James Haskell and Owen Farrell’s friendship
Best mates James Haskell and Owen Farrell on their adventure down under.
2. His 65 metre try vs Barbarians
England flanker James Haskell rampages through some meagre Barbarians defence for a 65-metre individual try during the match at Twickenham in May 2010.
3. This caption from SKY
4. Interviewing himself
Haskell joined Saints TV for his first interview as a Northampton Saint and there was only one reporter for the job…