Approximately $3.5 million was distributed to the 33-member Flying Fijians squad in connection with last year’s World Cup held in France. The Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) disclosed this amount in response to allegations made by former national captain Waisea Nayacalevu regarding the organization’s practices.
In an interview, Nayacalevu stated that the players contemplated a boycott of their quarter-final match against England due to unpaid bonuses and allegations of corruption within the Fiji Rugby Union. “We weren’t going to play. We need to eliminate this ongoing issue,” Nayacalevu remarked.
He explained that while staying in Marseille, he arranged a Zoom presentation to discuss the unfulfilled promises regarding payments, emphasizing a deadline for receipt of payment before the quarter-final match. Nayacalevu expressed his frustration over repeated instances of unfulfilled commitments by the FRU, noting the experiences of senior players like Semi Radradra and Levani Botia.
“I have represented Fiji for over a decade, and the situation seems to repeat itself,” Nayacalevu commented, pointing out the stress that payment delays had on team focus right before the critical match. He expressed hope that future Flying Fijians will stand up against such issues.
In response to the claims, FRU clarified that each player received a signing bonus of $30,000 as well as a daily allowance of $500 from July 16 to October 15, 2023. The government offered bonuses based on performance, including $30,000 for a quarter-final victory, $40,000 for a semi-final win, and $50,000 for winning the final.
FRU stated that all expenses related to the World Cup preparation and participation were fully funded by Fiji Rugby and World Rugby, covering travel, accommodation, meals, gear, and insurance. Delays in payments to some overseas-based players were attributed to difficulties in confirming their banking details.
The statement revealed that a Zoom meeting was held just days before the quarter-final, during which Nayacalevu and some players demanded payment of bonuses, threatening not to play unless the money was received. To address these demands and potential cash flow concerns, FRU sought government assistance, and a commitment was made to pay the demanded quarter-final bonuses post-match.
FRU emphasized that they could not risk player boycotts in such a significant match, noting the potential repercussions for both the players and the governing body. They affirmed that all payments, including the $30,000 signing bonus and the daily allowances, were disbursed, totaling around $105,000 for each squad member during the camp and World Cup.
The statement concluded with FRU expressing disappointment regarding Nayacalevu’s serious allegations and requested that he specify any examples of corruption for further scrutiny.