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'We are not breeding poofters and weaklings here… we must f*** them up'

(Photo by Getty Images)

The Pacific Rugby Players Welfare (PRPW) organisation has wasted little time in putting pressure on World Rugby’s re-elected chairman, Bill Beaumont, in a second letter calling for “urgent enquiries on the status of the investigation” into the conduct of Fiji rugby union’s chairman, Francis Kean, following his alleged abusive and homophobic comments. Kean recently stood down from the World Rugby council after a recording emerged, seemingly of the official in his role in charge of Fiji’s prison service saying, “We are not breeding poofters and weaklings here… we must f*** them up.” He remains chairman of the Fiji rugby union.

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In the letter following the Sunday Times story, PRPW director Dan Leo wrote: “I note that, although it is more than two weeks since an investigation was first promised to the media, at the time of writing this letter no request has yet been received by the Sunday Times from WR (World Rugby) for a copy or transcript of the Kean recording or any other material generated in support of the April 19 report.”

While World Rugby have no fit-and-proper-person test for anyone standing as a union official, PRPW have identified World Rugby regulation 20.4 (c) in relation to misconduct which refers to “acts or statements that are discriminatory by reason of sexual orientation”.

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Re-elected World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont guests on the latest edition of The Rugby Pod

Video Spacer

Re-elected World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont guests on the latest edition of The Rugby Pod

The letter is signed by Leo on behalf of PRPW. One of its board members is former Fijian international Josh Matavesi. He told RugbyPass: “I don’t know what (Kean) adds to the FRU. I’m embarrassed by his comments. As a Fijian, I know how hard the team has worked in the last decade to pride itself on the morals and values that it holds. It undermines what we’re all about. It undermines the coaches, all the things that we talk about.”

Matavesi continued: “Any gay or lesbian person in Fiji, I ask them to take no notice. It’s one very small-minded person. For him to say that it shows he’s not fit for the role. I’m sure if anyone from the RFU said that, they would soon be gone. I’ve got kids. For people in Fiji, for a kid to pick up the news and read these comments – and let’s say they might be going through a tough time but they like their rugby – you have just completed eroded any chance to bring people out of their shells and any chance to bring them into rugby.”

In January, Lord Robert Hayward was recognised by the Rugby Union Writers’ Club for his role as founding chairman of the Kings Cross Steelers, the world’s first gay and inclusive rugby team. Lord Hayward is also secretary of the All-Party Parliamentary Group in the UK for rugby union.

He said: “The alleged comments attributed to Francis Kean are unacceptable. If World Rugby are to stand by the game’s values and moreover their own regulations, we need more clarity about the undertaking of their investigation and any subsequent steps. Taking swift and appropriate action against anti-LGBT remarks is what everyone in rugby should expect of those in the highest office of the game. I welcome Dan Leo’s pursuit of this matter.”

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If Leo and PRPW can prompt swift action from World Rugby in investigating Kean, what is their aim? Matavesi said: “I don’t think he’s fit for the job. For the players who want to play, I just want the best for the next generation. With it being run like this, I feel very sorry for the next generation of rugby players coming through.”

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J
JW 1 hour ago
'Passionate reunion of France and New Zealand shows Fabien Galthie is wrong to rest his stars'

Where? I remember saying "unders"? The LNR was formed by the FFR, if I said that in a way that meant the 'pro' side of the game didn't have an equal representation/say as the 'amateur' side (FFR remit) that was not my intent.


But also, as it is the governing body, it also has more responsibility. As long as WR looks at FFR as the running body for rugby in France, that 'power' will remain. If the LNR refuses to govern their clubs use of players to enable a request by FFR (from WR) to ensure it's players are able to compete in International rugby takes place they will simply remove their participation. If the players complain to the France's body, either of their health and safety concerns (through playing too many 'minutes' etc) or that they are not allowed to be part in matches of national interest, my understanding is action can be taken against the LNR like it could be any other body/business. I see where you're coming from now re EPCR and the shake up they gave it, yes, that wasn't meant to be a separate statement to say that FFR can threaten them with EPCR expulsion by itself, simply that it would be a strong repercussion for those teams to be removed (no one would want them after the above).


You keep bringing up these other things I cannot understand why. Again, do you think if the LNR were not acting responsibly they would be able to get away with whatever they want (the attitude of these posters saying "they pay the players")? You may deem what theyre doing currently as being irresponsible but most do not. Countries like New Zealand have not even complained about it because they've never had it different, never got things like windfall TV contracts from France, so they can't complain because theyre not missing out on anything. Sure, if the French kept doing things like withholding million dollar game payments, or causing millions of dollars of devaluation in rights, they these things I'm outlining would be taking place. That's not the case currently however, no one here really cares what the French do. It's upto them to sort themselves out if they're not happy. Now, that said, if they did make it obvious to World Rugby that they were never going to send the French side away (like they possibly did stating their intent to exclude 20 targeted players) in July, well then they would simply be given XV fixtures against tier 2 sides during that window and the FFR would need to do things like the 50/50 revenue split to get big teams visiting in Nov.

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