Harlequins star arrested for breaking virus quarantine - Ruck

Harlequins star arrested for breaking virus quarantine

Harlequins flanker Semi Kunatani has been named as one of two Fiji rugby players arrested for breaking isolation laws after he returned home from London.

Both players returned to Fiji via Singapore. They were arrested for failing to observe a 14-day quarantine designed the prevent the spread of Covid-19. Fiji has reported 12 cases.

“We strongly condemn the behavior of these two players and their disregard for lawful instructions to self-isolate themselves,” said John O’Connor, chief executive or Fiji rugby.

“Such irresponsible behavior is totally unacceptable and we support the actions of the police in arresting these two players and any further action taken against them. Fiji Rugby will take appropriate disciplinary actions against the professional rugby players, including reporting this highly irresponsible behavior to their clubs and World Rugby.”

Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama also accused the players of putting “the whole of Fiji at risk” and revealed they have both been put in isolation.


9 Times Rugby Players Were Arrested

From time to time, some rugby players have a tendency to play with fire when it comes to life off the pitch. 

Whether it’s a boozy night out in town or something a lot worse, some stars don’t do themselves any favours when it comes to abiding by the law.  

Here’s a look at nine of the most notable occasions when rugby players broke the law…

1. Danny Cipriani

Cipriani was arrested for drink-driving after the car he was driving was involved in a collision with a taxi at 05:15 on 1 June 2015. He was convicted after a five-day trial for drink-driving before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 24 June 2016. He was ordered to pay a total of £7,620 in fines and costs and banned from driving for 18 months.

Three years later in August 2018, during a pre-season tour in Jersey, Cipriani was arrested after an incident at a nightclub in St Helier. He was charged with common assault, larceny, assault on police, resisting arrest and being disorderly on licensed premises later that day.

2. Steven Pokere

From 1981 to 1985, he played 39 matches for the All Blacks. But in 2005, Pokere was sentenced to 2½ years in jail for conspiracy to defraud investors of $NZ4million, relating to a company that he ran with three others, all Mormons, that targeted fellow church members, many of whom were friends and family of the quartet.

Steven Pokere’s New Zealand jersey is in Woodward’s possession after a swap.

3. Marc Cécillon

On 10 November 2006, Cécillon, a former France captain, was found guilty of murdering his wife and sentenced to 20 years in prison, five more years than the prosecution had sought. The sentence was reduced to 14 years on appeal before he was released on parole in 2011.

Earlier this month a judge in Perpignan, southern France, sentenced Cecillon to 12 months in jail, with six months suspended, after a night of violence in August at a vineyard where he was helping with the grape harvest, according to the local L’Independant news site.

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