As Israel Folau made a try-scoring debut for his new club Catalan Dragons on Saturday, a man watching from the stands was told to remove a rainbow flag unfurled in support of the LGBT movement. Folau has been widely condemned for posting homophobic comments on social media. It led to Folau — a former try-scoring star with Australia’s rugby union national team — being fired by Rugby Australia last year. He was then hired by the Dragons. But the rugby league side, based in southern France, has faced a strong backlash for handing him a 12-month deal. The security official asking the man to remove the flag – which was draped over a railing – appeared to suggest it was covering up a portion of an advertising hoarding, high up in the stands. The rainbow flag is used as a symbol of the LGBT movement and promotes social equality. A woman who said she attended Saturday’s game with the flag said that she was twice asked to remove it.