Fiji National Rugby League (FNRL) chairman Rajesh Singh has publicly defended the organisation’s governance, confirming the governing body is facing internal disputes, financial investigations and staff disruptions but insisting the issues are being handled through legal and board processes. Singh’s statement, delivered in response to calls for unity from Fiji Bulikula head coach Joe Rabele, also revealed that FNRL does not yet have audited accounts for the 2023–24 and 2024–25 financial years and that the annual general meeting (AGM) will be convened only after those audits are completed.
Singh acknowledged ongoing tensions linked to a governance restructuring that has prompted disagreement within the organisation. He said concerns over potential misuse of funds and the suspension of staff members have emerged amid those changes and that investigations are under way. While he did not provide a timetable for completion of the audits or the outcome of the inquiries, he emphasised the board’s commitment to transparency and compliance with legal obligations.
The chairman framed his remarks as a response to recent public appeals for unity from Rabele, who leads the national women’s rugby league side. Singh said the FNRL board and legal advisers are managing the matters through established procedures rather than by media exchanges, and that stakeholders will be briefed as processes reach conclusions. The move to await audited financial statements before holding the AGM was presented as part of that commitment to proper corporate governance.
The absence of audited accounts for two consecutive years is the most concrete development disclosed by Singh and raises immediate governance questions for an organisation charged with administering funds, competitions and national team programmes. Audited financial statements are normally required to give members confidence in an organisation’s financial stewardship and to inform decisions taken at an AGM, including election of board members and approval of budgets.
Singh’s confirmation follows a period of visible disruption inside the FNRL, with reports of staff suspensions and allegations regarding the handling of funds prompting the board to initiate inquiries. He did not name investigators or specify whether external auditors had already been appointed; instead he reiterated that investigations and audits will be completed in line with legal advice and board oversight. The chairman said transparency to members and partners remains a priority and that the FNRL will comply with any statutory reporting requirements.
For stakeholders in Fiji rugby league — players, coaches, sponsors and international partners — the developments underline a moment of institutional strain. Delays to routine governance milestones such as AGMs can complicate planning for competitions and funding arrangements, and lingering questions about finances and staff discipline can erode confidence if not resolved promptly. Singh’s statement positions the board as intent on restoring that confidence through formal processes rather than ad hoc public responses.
The investigations and the audit process are ongoing. Singh’s assurance that the AGM will follow the completion of audits marks the latest chapter in an evolving governance dispute at the FNRL; further details are expected to emerge once audits conclude and investigations report their findings.
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