Fiji Rugby House Suva Photo: Alex Perrottet/RNZ
All nominations and motions filed by local rugby unions for next week's Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) annual general meeting have been declared null and void.
RNZ Pacific's attempts to speak to FRU Chief Executive Officer Sale Sorovaki for the past few days regarding concerns about the union's affairs have been unsuccessful.
But on Thursday, Sorovaki told The Fiji Times that the local provincial unions failed to comply with the national governing body's agreements.
"The unions that filed in nominations have been advised. They have been given two days to appeal to their decision," Sorovaki said.
Naitasiri, Suva, Namosi and Nadroga had filed in nominations.
Sorovaki said for unions to be compliant with FRU constitution, they needed to meet several requirements.
These include having their annual general meetings (AGM) one month before FRU's annual meeting, submitting audited financial statements to FRU, paying up their affiliations fees ($FJ1,000 for premier division teams and $500 for senior teams), having a women's team, a referees' association and hold club competition.
"Reminders had been sent out. The dates were clearly highlighted to the unions, still they did not meet them," he said. "Nadroga had paid their subscriptions but failed to submit their financials on time. Naitasiri had paid their subscriptions but did not have the correct people signing their nomination form.
"Nadi had also made arrangements with FRU for their subscriptions to be paid, but failed to comply with other factors. Suva failed to pay their affiliation fees on time. Everything must be with FRU one month before the AGM. Nominations are due 21 days from the AGM. It is in the constitution," Sorovaki said.
He said FRU would go ahead with the AGM scheduled for April 29 in Lautoka.
"The FRU has options available. The unions that had supported the nominations will have to be fully complied as well."
Suva replies
But Suva Rugby Union secretary Nemani Tuifagalele told RNZ Pacific this afternoon that Suva's annual subscription is always deducted from the union grant and its affiliation fees was deducted at source last year.
"The subscription is only one part of the compliance requirements set by FRU. Other requirements include having the AGM, the audited report, having club games, a women's competition and the annual report," Tuifagalele said.
He said Sorovaki is misleading the public on Suva's status.
All unions in Fiji have been part of the FRU calendar, which means the national union does not know what they are now saying.
"If a union is deemed to be non-compliant then it cannot take part in any of FRU's activities in the calendar year. But Suva is a participant in the ANZ Marama cup which has started already," Tuifagalele said.
"In terms of participation of that tournament, clause 7.4.1 states that compliant unions only be given their initial $5,000 grant before the competition starts. Suva has received that, which means we are compliant. So [Sorovaki] has misled the public to say that Suva has not complied."
Sorovaki was appointed acting CEO by former FRU chairman Humphrey Tawake, who was a nominee of former prime minister and current FRU president Frank Bainimarama.
If all the unions nominations are accepted Bainimarama will be replaced as FRU president.
Tawake was replaced by Simione Valenitabua, who is the nominee of Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka
Fiji Rugby 'hiding things'
Former Fijian sports minister Rajesh Singh believes Sorovaki and the FRU are trying to ensure Bainimarama stays on and the current board continues.
Rajesh has been nominated by Naitasiri Rugby Union and seconded by Yasawa Rugby as a director.
His first nomination by Naitasiri, supported by Namosi Rugby was declared non compliant by Sorovaki on April 19 because the wrong person signed for Namosi and therefore unconstitutional.
The constitution says the nominations can only be made by union presidents. Namosi's vice-president had signed.
Rajesh said Naitasiri got Yasawa to support him instead, but the FRU is now has a different view.
"It is too obvious. They do not want anyone in. They are hiding alot of things," he said.
"Time to change them and if we have to go to court to sort this our we will do that."
Rajesh said the FRU should be assisting unions to be compliant so that there is transparency but the way things are happening means some people are hiding the truth.
"That is sad for Fiji rugby as a whole."