Last week, Eliota Fuimaono Sapolu of Samoa was banned from participating in rugby at any level after referring to Welsh referee Nigel Owens as “racist” in a tweet.
The centre had previously accused tournament organizers of “slavery” for their treatment of teams like Samoa. He did not attend a disciplinary hearing in Auckland on Tuesday and consequently received a “provisional suspension” from all levels of rugby.
This suspension stemmed from his recent comments following Samoa’s 13-5 defeat against champions South Africa last week, a loss that dashed their hopes for a quarter-final spot.
Sapolu alleged that Samoa were victims of a conspiracy and criticized Owens after multiple other commenters on the Welsh referee’s Facebook page condemned him.
“I can comprehend the animosity!! Haha good luck u racist biased prick,” tweeted 30-year-old Sapolu, who plays for the English club Gloucester.
“Get South Africa into the next round. The plan was clear. Can’t wait 2 meet International Rugby Board members in public,” he continued.
These remarks follow Sapolu’s previous apology for likening the World Cup to “slavery” and even comparing it to the “holocaust” when Samoa had limited time to prepare for their crucial match against Wales, which they ultimately lost.
On Tuesday, World Cup organizers released a statement indicating that judicial officer Jeff Blackett from England determined that because Sapolu did not attend the hearing, the case would be postponed to a later date when he could address the charges against him.
Significantly, the statement added: “Pending the scheduling of such a hearing, he ordered that Mr. Fuimaono Sapolu be provisionally suspended from all participation in the sport of Rugby Union.”
The Samoa Rugby Union acknowledged the misconduct charge against them for failing to manage Sapolu’s behavior.
However, the matter of what penalty, if any, the Samoa Rugby Union will incur will be considered at the same hearing as Sapolu’s.
Additionally, Samoa faced controversy when wing Alesana Tuilagi received a significant fine for wearing a mouthguard that displayed the name of a company not sponsoring the World Cup.
The Pacific Islanders sought to create an upset against South Africa on Friday during a match in which Samoa full-back Paul Williams was sent off.
by Buford Balony
