'Not easy to share faith in the public sphere': Gary Ablett. Credit:Morgan Hancock Geelong's Gary Ablett jnr has explained why he liked – and then unliked – Israel Folau's controversial social media post, with the AFL star saying he had not meant to cause offence. Ablett posted a Biblical quote on Instagram for Easter and with it he gave an explanation for his actions to Folau's post, in which he stated hell awaited "drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolators". AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan has said Ablett and Carlton's Matthew Kennedy were spoken to by their clubs for liking the post. Rugby Australia has terminated Folau's contract for the post, but he will challenge the decision at a code of conduct hearing.<doc-sep>Geelong Cats champion Gary Ablett Jr. has broken his silence after being drawn into the Israel Folau scandal. Ablett became embroiled in the backlash after liking Folau’s controversial Instagram post, but the duel Brownlow Medal winner has now responded and explained why he initially liked the post and later removed it. Cats officials spoke to Ablett after it was revealed he had liked Folau’s anti-gay post which has the rugby star’s career on the ropes. Ablett returned to Instagram on Saturday afternoon to say he initially wanted to support Folau’s strong Christian faith, but understands why his like “appeared” offensive. He also stated he loves “ALL people regardless of race, religion, gender or sexuality.” “There has been a lot of coverage about Israel Folau’s post this week. It saddens me and my family to see how the coverage of this story has played out,” Ablett wrote. “I want to make it clear that I love ALL people regardless of race, religion, gender or sexuality. “I have always admired how strong Izzy is in his faith, it is not easy to share faith in the public sphere, and this is why I initially ‘liked’ his post. “I understand that liking this post appeared offensive and this is why I chose to remove my ‘like’ from the post. “As a Christian, I believe that God sent his one and only son Jesus to die on the cross so that anyone can come to have an intimate and personal relationship with him. This is the core message behind why I believe we celebrate Easter. “I also believe that we are all sinners, that no one including myself is exempt from this and this is why Jesus died for us so that we could all be forgiven by God. God is a loving God and I pray that everyone will come to experience that same love as I have. “Happy Easter everyone!” AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan on Monday revealed Ablett and Matthew Kennedy had both been spoken to over their initial support of Folau. McLachlan confirmed both players “unliked” the post as he spoke about the oversight that led them to supporting Folau’s stance in the first place, saying they didn’t fully understand what the post was about. “The thing to note about the two players is they both ‘unliked’ it,” McLachlan told Neil Mitchell on 3AW radio on Friday. “The feedback I’ve got is that those players have strong faith and it was almost an instinctive thing to like it without really understanding what that individual post was about. “What I’d say is that everyone is entitled to their views and beliefs but our sport is one of acceptance and inclusion of all people and people need to be mindful of that. “Everyone is really, really clear about how we see our game being for everyone and we want an inclusive environment at all times and our players are on board with that.” McLachlan refused to go into specifics about the Folau case but reinforced the AFL is an inclusive organisation that promotes football as a sport for everyone. “I know that people have spoken to them, yes. Club people, and I’ve got feedback from our guys about those discussions,” McLachlan said. “It’s a mature discussion to say we understand your faith is important to you and we are fully supportive of that but you need to be mindful that we have an inclusive environment and where there is the possibility for a conflict.” — with AAP<doc-sep>
Gary Ablett has responded to the controversy surrounding him 'liking' Israel Folau's controversial social media post. Wallabies and Waratahs star and former GWS forward Folau posted a photo to Instagram a couple of weeks ago that said "hell awaits" for drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolaters. Geelong superstar Ablett and Carlton youngster Matthew Kennedy both 'liked' the post, which, pending a hearing, looks like costing Folau his contract with Rugby Australia. MORE: Luke Hodge whacks 'absolute knob' Damian Barrett over Sliding Doors column AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan responded to the controversy on Friday, saying Ablett and Kennedy had been spoken to. "The thing of note about the two players is they've both 'unliked' it," McLachlan said on 3AW. McLachlan refused to speculate when asked about what would happen if an AFL player posted something similar, though he did say that Ablett and Kennedy had held "mature discussions" with their clubs over the matter. "I know that people have spoken to them," McLachlan added. "It's a mature discussion to say 'we understand your faith is important to you and we are fully supportive of that but you need to mindful of where there is a possibility for a conflict'." Ablett himself addressed the matter on Saturday, posting to Instagram his explanation and justification for initially 'liking' the post. "There has been a lot of coverage about Israel Folau’s post this week. It saddens me and my family to see how the coverage of this story has played out," Ablett wrote. "I want to make it clear that I love ALL people regardless of race, religion, gender or sexuality. "I have always admired how strong Izzy is in his faith, it is not easy to share faith in the public sphere, and this is why I initially 'liked' his post. "I understand that liking this post appeared offensive and this is why I chose to remove my 'like' from the post." Ablett and his Geelong teammates will attempt to rebound from their round four loss to GWS when they take on Hawthorn at the MCG on Monday.