Queensland Rugby League has confirmed that Israel Folau will be allowed to register and play for the Southport Tigers pending clearance from the Catalans Dragons.
Last week it was announced that Folau planned to sign and play for the Tigers in the QRL's Gold Coast competition.
At the press conference, Folau and mining magnate Clive Palmer confirmed that the signing was still waiting to be registered by the QRL.
Following the announcement, the Catalans Dragons confirmed that they were shocked and had not been informed of the decision.
Folau had signed a two-year contract extension with the Dragons at the end of 2019 but returned to Australia at the end of 2020 on compassionate grounds.
Alex Chan, the football manager of the Catalans Dragons, confirmed that Folau is still a contracted player with the club.
"We still hold his contract, he’s still a registered player with Catalans Dragons," Chan said.
"It was a big shock to see what was put out there, we can’t just let things happen like this.
"I’ve got to meet with the club president and our directors but I’ve already made our legal team aware of the situation that is starting to unfold.”
And it appears that Folau will be forced to wait for his Dragons contract situation to be finalised before pulling on the Dragons jersey.
Clive Palmer hoped that Folau would make his Tigers debut against Burleigh on Saturday but that now looks unlikely.
QRL confirmed on Wednesday that they would support Folau's bid to join the Tigers but only when it is confirmed he has been released from his Catalans contract.
"The Queensland Rugby League has considered the Southport Tigers’ request to register Israel Folau in the Rugby League Gold Coast competition," the statement read.
"The QRL Board has carefully considered all aspects of the registration request, in line with its current rules and processes. In doing so, the QRL can today share the following.
"The QRL have not received confirmation that Folau is released from his existing playing contract, nor has he received a clearance from his last known registered overseas club.
"The QRL cannot proceed with any registration approval until such time as the clearance is received – this is in accordance with current national policy regarding international clearances playing at any level of the game.
"On receipt of international clearance, Folau will be granted permission to register for the Southport Tigers at a community rugby league level and no higher, as per the registration request that has been made."
QRL has also confirmed that Folau will be forced to abide by the organisation's rules and code of conduct if he is to play for the Tigers.
Any breach of those policies could see Folau's contract torn up.
They also ensured to distance themselves from Folau's previous comments that saw him released from his Rugby Australia contract.
"Any registration is subject to Folau confirming he has read and understood his obligations as a player under the QRL Rules, the QRL Code of Conduct and the Community Rugby League Terms and Conditions NRL Registration," the statement read.
"Should the registration proceed in compliance with these conditions, any breach of the code of conduct could lead to suspension, or the cancellation of the player’s registration, as it would for any other player.
"The QRL acknowledge that previous social media comments made by Folau, whilst not a registered participant in rugby league at the time, do not align to the beliefs of the game, or the QRL.
"The QRL is an inclusive organisation with a proud diversity and inclusion framework."
