GEELONG champion Gary Ablett has provided an explanation as to why he "liked" Israel Folau's homophobic Instagram post.

Former Greater Western Sydney forward Folau, who has lost his contract with Rugby Australia for breaking the body's social media code, last week posted an image containing the text: "Warning. Drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists, idolators. Hell awaits you. Repent! Only Jesus saves."

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Ablett, who is a deeply religious Christian, eventually unliked the post.

On Easter Saturday, Ablett posted an image of a crucifix with a biblical 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."

View this post on Instagram

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. 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!

A post shared by GARY ABLETT (@garyablettjnr) on

He also posted a lengthy caption explaining his thinking.

"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 said.

"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."

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