The Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) said it had taken action against the board of Tonga’s rugby league over concerns raised by players and the Pacific kingdom’s prime minister.
“Based upon the volume and magnitude of representations received, the (RLIF) board decided that it needed to intervene immediately,” it said in a statement.
Folau, fired by Rugby Australia over social media posts claiming “hell awaits” gay people and other “sinners”, had worked with the Tongan officials on a bold plan to play rugby league for the country in upcoming Tests against Australia and Britain.
But the 30-year-old appears to have unwittingly inserted himself into a bitter power struggle over control of the sport in the Pacific nation and ended up on the losing side.
As his former Wallabies teammates battle for the Rugby World Cup in Japan, Folau faces being frozen out of a second sporting code.
The Australian newspaper said the board suspension effectively left Folau’s league bid “dead and buried”, while the Sydney Morning Herald said it was “all but over”.
Tonga’s league players revolted when the board sacked coach Kristian Woolf last month in a dispute over finances, threatening to boycott upcoming internationals.
The nation’s acting Prime Minister Semisi Sika wrote to the RLIF expressing concern over the situation and calling for the board to be stood down.
The situation was complicated this week when Folau announced his plan to join Tonga, blindsiding the RLIF by incorrectly claiming it had cleared him to play.
RLIF deputy director, Australia’s Peter Beattie, has previously said that Folau “fails the NRL’s inclusiveness culture” and would not be welcome in the sport.
Beattie on Friday supported suspending the Tonga board, which had been Folau’s main backer.
“It is untenable for a national administration that doesn’t have the support of its government or players to continue,” he said.
Australia’s National Rugby League also backed the RLIF move and withdrew an invitation for Tonga to play in the upcoming World Cup 9s in Sydney until the island nation sorted out its problems.
“It is clear the current board does not have the support of its national government or its best players,” said NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg.
“We are working with the RLIF to recognise an alternate structure that provides an opportunity for Tonga to field its best team.”
Folau is seeking millions of dollars in damages from Rugby Australia and NSW Rugby, claiming he was unlawfully dismissed for expressing views consistent with his devout Christian beliefs.
The governing body says Folau breached a player code of conduct by making anti-gay comments on social media.