The Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) is currently navigating a challenging situation due to allegations from the Malolo team, the reigning Skipper Cup champions, concerning unpaid gate receipts from the recent final. As this matter is under legal review, the FRU has opted to postpone its formal response.
Koli Sewabu, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the FRU, stated that a comprehensive response is in the works but is contingent upon legal advice. “In regard to the Malolo incident, I won’t be able to comment on the details of it, because at the moment I’m awaiting a final green light from our legal team before we respond to Malolo and our stakeholders in the media,” Sewabu explained.
The delay in addressing these allegations has sparked a wider conversation about transparency and governance within the sport, with various stakeholders calling for clearer communication from the FRU. Sewabu acknowledged the importance of resolving the issue efficiently before the end of the year and reiterated the need for effective management in light of the challenges the union has faced this season regarding governance and compliance. “There have been a lot of issues this year with regard to our game management, our terms of participation, and compliance issues from our unions,” he commented.
Looking ahead, the FRU remains hopeful about overcoming this controversy. The union is committed to enhancing professionalism and improving operational systems as they gear up for the upcoming season, representing a positive step towards rebuilding trust and confidence among all stakeholders in the rugby community. This determination to address internal issues may help foster a more stable environment for the sport moving forward.