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Fiji claimed gold at the Rio Olympics with sevens stars Jerry Tuwai and Vatemo Ravouvou enjoying their historic victory.
Fiji’s shame over the Francis Kean affair and the neglected governance of the World Rugby situation could have ramifications for the status of the Rugby Olympics.
The World Rugby election process was shocked last week by allegations of homophobia and discrimination against Fiji’s President Kean, a convicted assassin, who was nominated for a seat on the world body’s executive committee for France.
That was eventually withdrawn with Kean’s resignation from the World Rugby Council. But he raised questions about the governing body’s background investigation process and whether it violates the International Olympic Committee’s code of ethics.
Former Samoa captain and CEO of Pacific Welfare, Dan Leo, wrote a condemnatory letter highlighting Kean’s questionable story and leading to the fall of his electoral candidacy.
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* Fiji Rugby Union withdraws nomination of convicted killer Francis Kean for World Rugby committee
* Pacific Island player group lashes Fiji RFU chief Francis Kean’s World Rugby bid
Now Leo has told the Daily mail in the UK who is considering drawing the IOC’s attention to the ugly issue, concerned that World Rugby has not handled it properly.
“We are following the advice of our attorneys about a letter we are drafting,” Leo told the Daily mail.
Fiji Sun
Francis Kean, left, finally withdrew his World Rugby nomination.
“I am disappointed that World Rugby has not launched an open investigation into Kean and France for nominating him.
“If World Rugby does not commit to governance reforms, our next letter will be to the International Olympic Committee, asking them to consider suspending rugby as an Olympic sport until they fulfill the IOC’s obligations.”
“If you need some pain in the short term, that is, being blocked from the Olympics, then so be it.” But hopefully sport can be proactive in this before that happens.
“We have to move forward now and make sure that the lessons are learned and, most importantly, acted upon.”
Kean’s nomination by France came when his boss, Bernard Laporte, volunteered to be Vice President of World Rugby alongside current President Bill Beaumont of England.
Argentine Agustín Pichot is challenging Beaumont for the role of the president in an electoral process that is now underway. Results are due on May 12.
Sevens rugby was presented to the last Olympic Games in Rio 2016 and Fiji won the gold medal.
