Former Fiji rugby rep and former prime minister Sitiveni Rabuka, now the Opposition and SODELPA leader has questioned whether the Fiji Rugby Union board met and discussed nomination for its chairman Francis Kean to the World Rugby Executive Committee.
Rabuka, in a statement sent on Tuesday, said: “As a former national rugby representative and Fiji Rugby Union trustee, I’ve always been proud of our rugby union body and our national teams. The sportsmanship of our national teams make them exemplary ambassadors for Fiji.
“Therefore, I was very disappointed to learn of the controversy caused and an investigation into the current president of the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) and Francis B Kean, by World Rugby.
“Kean has been nominated by the French Rugby Union Body for election to the World Rugby Executive Committee. Since then World Rugby has received complaints alleging homophobia and discrimination.
“A statement from World Rugby confirms “rugby is a sport built on strong and inclusive values and the organisation does not in any way condone abusive or discriminatory behaviour.”
As a former national representative and trustee of the Fiji Rugby Union, I ask the FRU Board and CEO to explain when was this nomination discussed and agreed by the FRU Board, and whether a panel of candidates was considered before the nomination was made.
“This ugly controversy cast a negative image of Fiji Rugby and our rugby “brand”, which hundreds of players and officials have worked hard to build over many decades.
“I believe many other deserving candidates should have been tabled and considered by the FRU board before this nomination was made.”
Comments were sought from FRU chief executive officer John O’Connor.
