'I have always admired Izzy's faith': AFL legend and devout Christian Gary Ablett Jr explains why he liked Israel Folau's homophobic Instagram post Geelong star Gary Ablett revealed why he liked Israel Folau's controversial post The AFL player later unliked the post after his club told him it was offensive Folau's original post targeted homosexuals, athiets, drunks and other groups By Australian Associated Press Published: 15:49 BST, 20 April 2019 | Updated: 15:49 BST, 20 April 2019 Viewcomments Geelong's Gary Ablett Jnr has explained why he liked Israel Folau's controversial Instagram post. Wallabies star Folau is in trouble for sharing the post that said hell awaited 'drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolators'. The post added that they should repent as only Jesus saves. Geelong's Gary Ablett Jnr (pictured with wife Jordan) explained why he liked and unliked Israel Folau's controversial post, with the AFL star saying he had not meant to cause offence Ablett said he was 'saddened' by the coverage of Israel Folau in an Instagram post Ablett, who is also deeply religious, marked Easter Saturday by sharing a New Testament quote: 'For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.' The Cats star added on the post that coverage of the Folau controversy had saddened him and his family. 'I want to make it clear that I love ALL people regardless of race, religion, gender or sexuality,' Ablett posted. '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.' AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan has said Ablett and Carlton's Matthew Kennedy were spoken to by their clubs for liking the post and that they then unliked it. Rugby Australia has terminated Folau's contract for the post, but he will challenge the decision at a code of conduct hearing. Israel Folau (pictured with his wife Maria) is in trouble for sharing the post that said hell awaited 'drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolators' The Geelong star said: '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.' Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility