The Malolo Rugby Union, the current champions of the Skipper Cup, has raised serious concerns regarding the management of gate revenue from this year’s knockout matches, including the quarterfinals, semifinals, and grand final. The union is demanding increased transparency from both the Fiji Sports Council and the Fiji Rugby Union.
In a statement released by Malolo, discrepancies were noted between the Fiji Sports Council’s reported attendance figures and the union’s own estimates for the 2025 Skipper Cup final. The council claimed approximately 11,000 attendees, translating to an expected revenue of about 220,000 dollars based on a ticket price of 20 dollars. However, Malolo pointed out that the council reported total earnings of only just over 59,000 dollars, without providing a detailed breakdown of ticket sales or deductions.
Moreover, Malolo stated that both finalists should receive a fair share of the revenue generated from ticket sales. They highlighted that financial distributions to Naitasiri Seniors did not align with the reported attendance, as deductions had been made before the payout. Naitasiri Seniors reportedly received 4,612.60 dollars but had 1,383.78 dollars withheld for the Naitasiri Under 20 team, raising further concerns regarding the rationale behind such deductions.
The union also indicated that figures from the semifinals appeared inconsistent; they claimed attendance exceeded 9,000, yet the Fiji Sports Council reported only slightly over 56,000 dollars in revenue. Malolo expressed confusion as to how the final, boasting a larger audience, yielded such limited additional revenue.
Malolo emphasized the necessity for enhanced support for players at the domestic elite level. The union pointed to a photograph circulating online, purportedly taken by a Vatukoula official, showing suspicious handling of cash within a ticket booth, which compounded their apprehensions regarding match day operations.
Additionally, Malolo reported that their originally allocated prize money of 20,000 dollars was curtailed to just above 16,000 dollars due to compliance fines. While they accepted the deductions, they highlighted the financial strain it places on their rebuilding team, especially since they did not anticipate a title win this season.
Furthermore, the union noted they received a meager 120 dollars for meal allowances following the grand final, which they said was distributed through M PAiSA with instructions to purchase just one kilogram of kava. This account has yet to be independently verified by FBC Sports.
In conclusion, Malolo advocates for stronger governance, greater accountability, and enhanced administrative standards within the sport. FBC Sports is currently awaiting comments from both the Fiji Rugby Union and the Fiji Sports Council, in the hopes of shedding light on this critical issue affecting rugby in Fiji.
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