Fiji allowed by IRB to participate in Rugby World Cup
Fiji has been allowed to play the coming Rugby World Cup by International Rugby Union after a nerve-wracking wait.
Fiji was feared to miss the World Cup as IRB had due concerns regarding the political interference in the sport. IRB has been consulting the matter with Fiji Rugby Union over the months and finally allowed to participate in the world championship.
IRB told that the issue was prolonged due to the none-serious attitude of FRU. Chief Executive IRB Mike Miller told the reporters today morning about the current progress on the issue. He said FRU has assured of elections in the local body and international
community was happy with the progress.
The issue took place between IRB and FRU back in 2006 when military took the charge of country and IRB was not happy with the role of military dictatorship. The military dictatorship impeded the board’s matter and Fiji Rugby Union found itself in to the
hot water after the news financial irregularities. Commerce Commission of Fiji investigated the issue and it revealed that union was making the money illegally and its lottery system was poor.
Followed by the reports of commission the government ordered to freeze the funds of FRU and conditioned the restoration of funds with the resignation of the board administration. Military dictatorship appointed the new body without bothering about the constitution
of the board. The constitution of the board suggests that no member could be removed or added without proper elections.
Mike Miller made the announcement of the IRB’s decision and said, “Everyone is allowed to stand, as part of our agreement, and we will see who gets elected and then see what happens, but I was very pleased with the nature of the discussions.”
However if FRU does not standby the undertaken they may face sanction by the International Rugby Union. New Zealand has already taken a stern action of military takeover and it has banned military personnel to travel for their country.
IRB has a history of excluding a country from world championship as it had done against the South Africans. South Africa was banned to participate in Rugby World Cups and Commonwealth games from 1976 to 1992.
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