The International Rugby Board confirms that its decision to suspend direct funding to the Fiji Rugby Union has nothing to do with Government interference.

When questioned by fijivillage on NZ media reports claiming that the IRB funding suspension is due to government interference, IRB’s General Manager Oceania, William Glenwright said he is not aware of any such rumors and FRU’s Acting CEO has been keeping him updated on the recruitment process of the new Chief Executive Officer.

Glenwright said the IRB only raised concerns over government interference in the affairs of the FRU in the lead-up to Rugby World Cup 2011.

Meanwhile FRU Board Chairman, Filimoni Waqabaca has clearly stated that the suspension of IRB funding support to the FRU is not due to Government interference, but on the need for FRU to improve its financial management, administrative and governance matters.

Waqabaca states that the Government has always supported FRU during critical periods.   
             
Some NZ reports are saying that the suspension of funding is due to government interference although the IRB statement says nothing along these lines.

This rumor of government interference is picked up from some anti government blog sites.         
   
Waqabaca said the report in the NZ media about Government interference in FRU is mischievous, misguided and grossly inaccurate.

Meanwhile the IRB said the suspension of the funding will not affect Fiji’s participation in the IRB Sevens World Series.

While responding to questions from fijivillage on Fiji’s participation in the US and NZ 7s tournaments, William Glenwright said all costs for the core teams participating in the IRB 7s Series are covered by the Host Unions.

We asked Glenwright on whether the IRB will assist in any way if the FRU faces financial constraints to send the team to the US and NZ.

Glenwright said the IRB has already paid a participation grant to all core teams to assist with preparation costs for the upcoming 7s tournaments and Fiji’s participation should not be affected.

Glenwright said suspension of the direct funding took place after the FRU failed to agree to the implementation of key recommendations arising from a Major Union Review conducted in May last year.

IRB has also expressed concerns that the financial position of FRU is unsustainable and could create instability and impact on key IRB-funded development and high performance programmes.

The IRB committed FJ$3.3million in direct funding to the FRU in 2013 and significant additional financial assistance to participate in international tournaments.

Story by: Vijay Narayan