World Rugby to investigate Fiji’s decision to nominate convicted killer for sport’s executive

The surprise nomination of Fijian Francis Kean to World Rugby’s executive has raised more than a few eyebrows after it emerged he served jail time after pleading guilty to beating a man to death at a wedding.

Fiji players come together before their pool match against Wales in the 2020 Sydney Rugby 7s at Bankwest Stadium, Parramatta. Picture: Brett Costello

As if the game hasn’t got enough problems – now the political bunfight for control of World Rugby just got even uglier with reports the sport’s global governing body will investigate the convicted killer running for a place on the executive council.

The surprise nomination of Fijian rugby chairman Francis Kean has already raised more than a few eyebrows in the sport’s inner circle because he served jail time after pleading guilty to beating a man to death at a wedding in Suva in 2007.

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The Fiji Rugby Union has expressed their appreciation to French Rugby Federation in their support in the nomination of FRU Chair Francis Kean in the World Rugby Executive Committee.#FBCNews #FijiNews #Fiji #FJunited #FijiSports #FBCSports
More: https://t.co/WpRFZyvgDS pic.twitter.com/L8OW1pSqUJ

— FBC News Fiji (@FBC_News) April 17, 2020

But now more allegations have emerged that he engaged in “rampant homophobia” in his role as Commissioner of the Fiji Corrections Service, a job he was given by his brother in law, the Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama.

Kean had already been criticised in an Amnesty International report into Fiji’s prison system – entitled “Beating justice. How Fiji’s security forces get away with torture” and now The British newspaper the Sunday Times published a report saying it had heard a recording of Kean using homophobic language and urging prison officers to bash a young colleague.

Agustin Pichot and Bill Beaumont are locked in a bitter power struggle for World Rugby supremacy. Picture: Getty Images

“World Rugby notes allegations in the UK Sunday Times about Fiji rugby union chairman Ratu Vilikesa Bulewa Francis Kean and takes the nature of these allegations extremely seriously,” a WR spokesman told the paper.

“Rugby is a sport built on strong and inclusive values and World Rugby does not in any way condone abusive or discriminatory behaviour as enshrined within its bylaws.

“It would be inappropriate to comment further until we have discussed the matter fully with the Fiji Rugby Union and have established all the facts.”

Kean is already on the World Rugby Council but his nomination to the seven-man executive has been described as “rugby politics at its worst” because it coincides with the bitter battle between England’s Bill Beaumont and Argentina’s Agustin Pichot for the job of World Rugby chairman.

With Europe’s Six Nations members all expected to vote for Beaumont to serve a second four year term while Australia and its SANZAAR partners are supporting Pichot’s campaign for reform and greater equality in the game, the decision ultimately rests with the smaller nations.

Unable to secure regular tests against the big nations and unable to keep all of its best players who invariably end up appearing for other nations, logic would suggest Fiji would vote for change but is backing Beaumont, formally seconding his nomination.

The cynics were quick to suggest it was all part of a blatant vote swapping deal after it emerged that France had seconded Kean’s nomination to the executive council.

France had also nominated Beaumont for the job of chairman while the English RFU returned the favour by nominating French Rugby president Bernard Laporte for vice-chairman on a joint ticket with Beaumont.

Rather than helping us confront corruption, political interference & poor governance in the Pacific they promote it, even nominating those responsible for higher honours in @WorldRugby

Rugby politics at its worst#TimeForChange https://t.co/K31uUzliEJ

— Daniel Leo (@danleo82) April 16, 2020

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Former Samoan Test star Daniel Leo described it as “rugby politics at its worst.”

“Rather than helping us confront corruption, political interference & poor governance in the Pacific they promote it, even nominating those responsible for higher honours in @WorldRugby,” he tweeted.

British media have slammed Beaumont’s decision to align himself with Kean, claiming it will derail his chances of re-election as more and more lean towards real reform and a restart to the international game after the COVID-19 crisis passes.

Clive Woodward, the mastermind behind England’s 2003 World Cup victory, is siding with Pichot, even though Beaumont is one of his former teammates.

“Good luck Gus,” Woodward tweeted. “I absolutely think the world of rugby has also to use this extraordinary moment in time to fundamentally change and become economically viable and truly a world game.”

Good luck Gus , I absolutely think the World of Rugby has also to use this extraordinary moment in time to fundamentally change and become economically viable and truly a world game https://t.co/ALTOfKiaY9

— Sir Clive Woodward (@CliveWoodward) April 13, 2020

Former All Blacks coach Steve Hansen is also advocating for change, telling Wales Online the game was at the crossroads.

“There has been a lot of self-interest and if we don't do the right thing we could lose the game and that would be a tragedy,” Hansen said.

“We have lost our way in rugby a little bit and we haven't been working well enough together.”

Originally published as World Rugby to investigate Fiji’s decision to nominate convicted killer for sport’s executive