The Trustees Board of the Fiji Rugby Union has addressed allegations of corruption and delayed bonus payments made by former Flying Fijians Captain Waisea Nayacalevu. The Trustees expressed sadness and concern over comments made during a Daily Mail interview.
In their statement, they stated, “He has raised issues and made serious accusations against the team at Rugby House. Our concern lies with these serious allegations of corruption at Fiji Rugby. He should be asked to clarify exactly what he means by this statement. Does he know of specific instances of corruption? If so, he should present the evidence for all to examine.”
The Trustees highlighted that they assumed responsibility for Fiji Rugby in May 2023, four months before the World Cup, with the primary objective of securing funding to prepare the Flying Fijians for the tournament. They announced a sign-on fee of $30,000 and a daily allowance of $500 for each of the 33 squad members from July 16 to October 15, 2023, totaling 91 days.
They further explained that, with government support, bonuses were structured based on the team’s achievements, offering $30,000 for winning the quarterfinals, $40,000 for a semifinal victory, and $50,000 for winning the final. They emphasized that all expenses, including travel, accommodation, meals, and gear, for the Flying Fijians were covered by Fiji Rugby, World Rugby, and the government.
The Trustees admitted there were some delays in payments to a few overseas players due to the confirmation of their banking details. They asserted that the Flying Fijians represent national pride, with most athletes motivated by a sense of honor when called to play for their family and country.
Three days before the quarterfinal match, a Zoom meeting took place involving the Captain, several players, and the Interim Rugby Administrator. During this meeting, the Captain and some players demanded the immediate payment of bonuses and threatened to withdraw from the quarterfinal match unless their demands were met.
The Trustees took these threats seriously, realizing the potential strain on Fiji Rugby’s finances. They were compelled to seek government assistance to accelerate the payment of bonuses. An assurance was provided by the Prime Minister’s Office that the requested quarterly bonus would be paid immediately after the quarterfinal.
The Trustees emphasized that Fiji Rugby would never risk the possibility of a boycott by its players, especially for a crucial match in the World Cup, as such an action could lead to the expulsion of Fiji Rugby from participating in World Rugby events.
They concluded that while the bonus was promised and paid, along with the sign-on fee and daily allowances, each player in the squad received approximately $105,000 for their participation in the World Cup. The Trustees reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the team in upcoming competitions and expressed their dedication to learning from past experiences to enhance the management and performance of their teams moving forward.