WITH the 2026 Rugby League World Cup just seven months away, internal bickering continues at the Fiji National Rugby League (FNRL) over who holds the chairmanship.
From the outside, there appear to be two cliques within the FNRL: one recognising Apenisa Dansey as the chairman and the other supporting Rajesh Singh. Fiji National Sports Commission CEO Peter Mazey noted in a media report last week that he had acknowledged an email from Singh stating he had been voted in as chairman. Mazey also confirmed his understanding that a dispute exists.
“There was a vote of no confidence against Akuila Masi last month; Apenisa Dansey moved the motion. Akuila was voted out, and I was then elected as interim chair to continue,” Singh claims.
Singh further alleged that he called a meeting a week later, during which Dansey used board member Taniela Vakamoce’s proxy vote to elect himself as chairman.
According to Singh, this was not permitted under the FNRL’s Articles of Association, which state that proxy votes can only be used during an Annual General Meeting (AGM), not a board meeting.
Singh claimed that due to this irregularity, the FNRL board was instructed by Mazey to call another meeting, which failed to eventuate in the weeks following the instruction.
“We called them, but Tagi (Ilaitia Tagituimua) said he wouldn’t come, Akuila Masi never replied, and Dansey did not turn up, so we held a board meeting. We followed the Fiji Sports Commission’s instructions, the Articles of Association, and legal advice, and I was elected as chairman,” he claimed.
It is understood that while this was occurring, Dansey and Tagituimua signed and sent a letter of termination to Singh. Singh has since written back, indicating the termination is legally invalid and lacks a constitutional basis.
When questioned yesterday following further confusion over the Fiji Bati coach position being advertised, an FNRL representative told this newspaper that Dansey remains the chairman.
The representative described Singh’s appointment as “null and void,” adding that their lawyers are reviewing the matter.
The representative also claimed Singh had been terminated for non-compliance with governance requirements and is prohibited from entering the FNRL premises on Richards Road in Domain, Suva.
The representative stated that once the legal issues are cleared, they will release a formal statement.
When questioned yesterday following further confusion over the Fiji Bati coach position being advertised, an FNRL representative, speaking on condition of anonymity, told this newspaper that Dansey remains the chairman.
The representative described Singh’s appointment as “null and void”, adding that their lawyers are reviewing the matter.
The representative also claimed Singh had been terminated for non-compliance with governance requirements and is prohibited from entering the FNRL premises on Richards Road in Domain, Suva.
The representative stated that once the legal issues are cleared, they will release a formal statement.
Meanwhile, the FNRL on its official social media page announced, “…Facebook post made by MUAIRA regarding the Vodafone Fiji Bati Head Coach position is invalid and does not represent an official decision or endorsement of the full FNRL Board.
“This clarification has been formally confirmed by the FNRL Chairman, Mr Dansey, who has stated that the post was not sanctioned, endorsed, or approved by the FNRL Board in its entirety.”
