World Rugby to investigate chairman over homophobia allegations
Rugby NewsMonday, 20 April 2020 at 12:02
World Rugby has launched a serious investigation into the chairman of the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU), which has backed Sir Bill Beaumont's bid for re-election as boss of the world game.
Francis Kean is under pressure to resign amid accusations of homophobia and discrimination, as revealed by the Sunday Times.
"World Rugby notes allegations in the UK Sunday Times about Fiji Rugby Union chairman Ratu Vilikesa Bulewa Francis Kean and takes the nature of these allegations extremely seriously," said a statement from the governing body.
"Rugby is a sport built on strong and inclusive values and World Rugby does not in any way condone abusive or discriminatory behaviour as enshrined within its bye-laws.
"It would be inappropriate to comment further until we have discussed the matter fully with the Fiji Rugby Union and have established all the facts."
LIST | Five times rugby players were arrested on team socials
Sometimes team socials go from being a quiet drink to something a lot more wild. Here's five players who got a little too drunk...
1. Andy Powell - Wales
Powell was arrested "for taking and driving away a golf buggy" a few hours after the Welsh team's last-minute victory over Scotland in their 2010 Six Nations match. He was arrested near Junction 33 on the M4 motorway at 0600 GMT 14 February 2010.
The following day, for behaviour "contrary to the squad's code of conduct", he was removed from Wales' 35-man training squad for the Six Nations 2010, and played no further part in the tournament He was later given a 15-month driving ban and fined after admitting the offence at Cardiff Magistrates court.
2. Kyle Sinckler - British & Irish Lions
The incident occurred in 2017 while Sinckler, then 24, was out in central Auckland following the Lions' 1-1 series draw with New Zealand.
An Auckland police spokesperson said: "Police can confirm they attended an incident involving minor disorder in central Auckland early on Sunday morning.
"A male was placed under arrest but was not charged after further inquiries established that the incident did not warrant prosecution.
"He was then taken to his accommodation by police. Auckland police has no further comment on this incident."
3. Danny Cipriani - Gloucester
Cipriani was arrested and charged for common assault, larceny, assault on police, resisting arrest, and being disorderly on licensed premises in Jersey. It was reported at the time that Cipriani got into an altercation with a bouncer outside The Little Drift nightclub.
He pleaded guilty to common assault and resisting arrest from the August 15, 2018 incident, and was ordered to pay £250 compensation to a police officer. The other charges were dropped.
4. Manu Tuilagi - England
During the 2011 Rugby World Cup. the centre, returning from a day-trip with team-mates, dived overboard at around 7pm in the evening and swam to a nearby pier, where he was detained by waiting police. He was subsequently fined £3,000 by the RFU
5. George Smith - Suntory Goliath
The Wallabies legend was arrested in Japan following a night out with teammates after allegedly running from a taxi on New Year’s Eve. He also reportedly refused to pay for it and punched the driver before being chased.
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- Jordie Barrett over Damian de Allende is far from being correct. The hype around Dupont is also overreaching, he's probably 4th in the world and has been since the 2023 WC. He also avoids certain matchups which is strange. The rest of the list is pretty good apart from minor subjective biases.JasonMarlow16-09-2026
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