UPDATE: Controversial figure Francis Kean has been stood down from the World Rugby Council and his nomination for the executive committee withdrawn over a series of controversies.
In a statement on Tuesday night (AEST), World Rugby confirmed the news that Kean, who has courted some serious controversy with his nomination, would no longer be part of the process.
"World Rugby notes the Fiji Rugby Union’s decision to stand down Fiji Rugby Union Chairman Ratu Vilikesa Bulewa Francis Kean from the World Rugby Council, and therefore withdrawing his candidature for the World Rugby Executive Committee, following new allegations published in the UK Sunday Times," the statement read.
"World Rugby takes all allegations of behaviour that is not in keeping with the sport’s strong and inclusive values and Bye-Laws extremely seriously.
"While it is important to stress that any allegations must be validated, following dialogue with World Rugby, the Fiji Rugby Union recognises the seriousness of the allegations made and the need for them to be fully investigated, and that it is in the best interests of the sport that Mr Kean steps down from the Council and his Executive Committee candidature be withdrawn.
"The Fiji Rugby Union have confirmed that their seat on the World Rugby Council will be filled by union CEO John O’Connor."
"There are now seven nominations for seven seats on the World Rugby Executive Committee, which will be confirmed at the 2020 Annual Meeting of the World Rugby Council, held by teleconference on 12 May."
The news means that Australia's Brett Robinson will be among those on the Executive Committee on the next term, with seven nominees for seven positoins.
EARLIER
A Pacific players' group has made fresh allegations against Fiji's rugby boss and criticised his bid for a spot on World Rugby's executive committee, further clouding Bill Beaumont's bid to remain head of the global body.
Fiji Rugby Union chairman Francis Kean, a key supporter of Beaumont's campaign to be re-elected as chairman, is already under investigation by the world body for alleged homophobia.
But Dan Leo, chief executive of Pacific Rugby Players Welfare, made further claims in a scathing open letter which slammed Kean and his candidacy for the executive committee.
Fiji seconded former England captain Beaumont's nomination as chairman, which is shaping as a close contest with Argentina's Agustin Pichot.
"If the values of World Rugby really are integrity, respect, solidarity, passion and discipline, all of this -- and the claim to have been building character since 1823 --- will be utterly debased if Kean is elected to the Exco," Leo wrote.
"You may have thought as Pacific Islanders, we would fall in line in support of Kean. But it is extraordinary to anyone involved in the game in the Pacific that Kean is even on the ballot," added the former Samoa captain.
Kean, a brother-in-law of Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, was jailed for manslaughter in 2007 and has been accused of homophobia based on an alleged recording of offensive remarks made in his role as head of Fiji's prison service.
Today I’m writing to all voting members of @WorldRugby
— Daniel Leo (@danleo82) April 20, 2020
Re: Fiji’s Francis Kean
Info in letter:
comments from court regarding murderous intent when he beat man to death
diplomatic passport has different names to those he was convicted allowing him to bypass immigration checks
3/3 How as Commissioner of Prisons in Fiji, Kean's reputation for violence continues today with four prisons officer charged just this weekend with the blunt force trauma death last week of a prisoner in their custody
— Daniel Leo (@danleo82) April 20, 2020
In his hard-hitting letter, Leo said Kean travels on a diplomatic passport which carries different names to those on the passport he held when convicted.
He also refers to a suicide over a rejected rugby academy, and an arson attack on the studio of a journalist who was critical of events surrounding Fiji's 2006 coup, led by Bainimarama with Kean in a senior military role.
"Why does World Rugby have some of the most elaborate and exhaustive eligibility checks for those who play the game but apparently no checks for someone wanting to run the game," Leo wrote.
Pacific Rugby Players Welfare is an independent, not-for-profit organisation that supports professional and semi-professional players of Pacific island heritage in Britain and Europe.
Beaumont has promised that, if re-elected, he will undertake a full governance review, including a 'fit and proper persons' test.
The election, by electronic ballot, is due on April 26 with the result set to be announced at a World Rugby council meeting on May 12.
No immediate comment was available from the Fiji rugby union.
str/cf/th
