Approximately $3.5 million was distributed to the 33-member Flying Fijians squad following their participation in last year’s World Cup held in France. This information was released by the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) in response to allegations made by former national captain Waisea Nayacalevu regarding misconduct within the Rugby House.
Nayacalevu had claimed in an interview that the players contemplated boycotting their quarter-final match against England due to outstanding bonus payments and alleged corruption within the Fijian Rugby Union. He expressed frustration over unmet promises made to the team, stating, “We weren’t going to play. We need to cut off this virus that has always been there.”
While in Marseille, Nayacalevu organized a Zoom call where he and other players confronted the management about the unfulfilled promises. He emphasized that if payment was not made by a specific date, they would refuse to play in the quarter-final match. Nayacalevu remarked on the familiar nature of such disappointments, mentioning that he and other senior players, including Semi Radradra and Levani Botia, had experienced similar issues with FRU before.
Despite these conflicts, Nayacalevu expressed hope that future Flying Fijians would continue to challenge corruption. He urged the team to be bold in demanding accountability, asserting that better leadership in Fiji Rugby would lead to improved conditions.
In its official statement, the FRU clarified that each player in the squad received a signing fee of $30,000 and a daily allowance of $500 throughout their training and tournament stay, spanning from July 16 to October 15, 2023. The statement noted that the Fijian government had established bonuses for team performances, specifying amounts for quarter-final, semi-final, and final victories. The organization ensured that all tournament-related expenses were fully funded by Fiji Rugby and World Rugby.
FRU acknowledged some delays in payments to select overseas players due to the verification of banking details. Adding to the controversy, FRU revealed that just days before the quarter-final, Nayacalevu and other players threatened to boycott unless their bonus payments were fulfilled, prompting FRU to seek urgent government assistance for payment.
FRU emphasized the gravity of a potential boycott during such a crucial match, noting that it could lead to expulsion from international competitions. The organization confirmed that all promised payments, including bonuses and allowances, had indeed been made, totaling around $105,000 for each player during the training camp and World Cup period.
The FRU expressed disappointment regarding Nayacalevu’s serious allegations and urged him to provide specific evidence of any corruption he has witnessed within Fiji Rugby.