“This is about Israel playing footy with his brothers,going on what Clive Palmer has said.”

ARLC chairman Peter V’landys said QRL counterpart Bruce Hatcher had contacted him to discuss the issue.

“I said just make sure you give process,” V’landys said. “Bruce Hatcher is a good administrator,he’s been there a long time. He’ll know what to do.”

The QRL is poised to convene an independent panel to determine whether Folau should return to the game in which he made his name. The decision-makers on it are likely to include a retired judge and former senior politician.

A potential stumbling block to Folau’s return could be seeking a release from Catalans Dragons. The Super League club claims the 32-year-old remains contracted to them and the QRL is attempting to get to the bottom of the matter. Should that hurdle be cleared,the QRL is also seeking to install clauses into any potential contract that prevent Folau from expressing his controversial religious views.

Palmer has vowed to throw his considerable resources into registering Folau,but his Southport Tigers signing spree may not end there. The third-tier club is also looking to register former NRL star Tony Williams,whose playing contract with a New York franchise was terminated after his remarks in support of convicted rapist Jarryd Hayne.Williams has publicly apologised for the comments.