Samoa centre Eliota Sapolu Fuimaono faces possible disciplinary action from the International Rugby Board after likening the Samoan team’s treatment at the Rugby World Cup to apartheid.

Angered by IRB scheduling which many feel favour the top teams, the Gloucester player accused the sport’s ruling body of “unfair treatment” on Twitter after Samoa’s 17-10 World Cup loss to Wales on Sunday.

Sapolu Fuimaono pointed out that the clash in Hamilton was Samoa’s second game in four days, while Wales enjoyed a week off before the crunch match.

He called this exploitation and said Samoa’s treatment was “like slavery, like the holocaust, and like apartheid".

According to the AFP the IRB has defended its scheduling and finds the context of the twitter message disappointing.

Samoa team officials are expected to meet with the IRB later today to discuss the issue.

Fuimaono, who came on as a replacement after 70 minutes against Wales, could be disciplined if he is found to have broken the Rugby World Cup code of conduct, which contains social media guidelines.

Several of the Tier Two nations, like Canada, Georgia and Namibia, have also complained about the scheduling and in particular the turnaround times between games, which they say discriminates against them.
 
The top teams from the Six Nations and Tri Nations tournaments in general have been accorded more time to recover between matches.

The IRB said the match schedule took into account fan appeal, spread of matches across New Zealand and player welfare, as well as broadcast and commercial considerations.

Meanwhile Fiji captain, Deacon Manu said the game scheduling has been tough for the smaller nations but Fiji has overcome adversity before.

He said in 2007, Fiji was in the same situation and still made it to the quarterfinals.


Story by: Vijay Narayan