Vasiti Solikoviti of Fiji and Zintle Mpupha (c) of South Africa during day 2 of the 2019 HSBC Cape Town Sevens women’s match 17, Pool A Fiji and South Africa at Cape Town Stadium on December 14, 2019 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images)
World Rugby homophobia scandal could cost the sport its Olympic berth
Voting for World Rugby’s chairperson position opened on Monday 27 April with incumbent former England captain Bill Beaumont facing competition from ex-Argentina skipper Agustin Pichot.
Vasiti Solikoviti of Fiji and Zintle Mpupha (c) of South Africa during day 2 of the 2019 HSBC Cape Town Sevens women’s match 17, Pool A Fiji and South Africa at Cape Town Stadium on December 14, 2019 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images)
Sevens Rugby could lose its spot at the Olympics after a scandal erupted at World Rugby that has thrown into question the leadership of the sport.
World Rugby’s vetting policy was called into question after the nomination of Francis Kean of Fiji for a place on the global governing body’s executive committee.
World Rugby Homophobia row threatens to derail election
The former chief of the Fijian Navy, Kean was convicted of manslaughter in 2007, but it is fresh allegations of discrimination, and the use of violent and homophobic language. The allegations stem from comments made by Kean while fulfilling his concurrent role in charge of Fiji’s prison services.
Kean has withdrawn his bid for the executive committee and resigned as chairperson of the Fiji Rugby Union board. Still, critics want answers from World Rugby and the French Rugby board who seconded the Fijians nomination.
Olympics on the line
Pacific Rugby Players Welfare CEO Daniel Leo expressed dismay at World Rugby’s failure to investigate Kean’s nomination and said he would personally write to the International Olympic Committee if the organisation currently chaired by Bill Beaumont does not act.
“We are taking advice from our lawyers about a letter we are drafting. I’m disappointed that World Rugby haven’t launched an open investigation into Kean and France for nominating him.
“If World Rugby don’t commit to governance reforms, our next letter will be to the International Olympic Committee, asking that they consider suspending rugby as an Olympic sport until they are fully compliant with IOC obligations,” Leo said.
Beaumont is standing for re-election to the Chairperson role but faces a stiff challenge from his number two Augustin Pichot. The former Argentina halfback has the backing of the Rugby Championship nations while Beaumont’s support base centres in the northern hemisphere. Beaumont counts Fiji as one of his few southern supporters.
World Rugby election battle
The 45-year-old Pichot or the 68-year-old former England captain Beaumont must claim a majority of the 51 votes to be elected on a four-year term with results set to be announced on 12 May 2020.
Pichot has campaigned on promises to modernise the game while Beaumont has focused on opening up the sport.
“I will start the discussions with the Nations Championship blueprint, but I’m not sure if that will be the outcome,” Pichot told AFP
“It will talk about the emerging nations, more money for the women’s game,” he added.
Both men are keen to further discussions on the proposed Nations League.
“Going forward I’m sure there will be a variant of that,” Beaumont said.
World Rugby welcomed the decision of the Fiji Rugby Union to stand down Kean from the World Rugby Council after accusations of “rampant homophobia”.
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