The International Rugby Board has threatened to expel Fiji, preventing its participation at this year’s World Cup, because the nation’s military regime had attempted to depose the entire Fiji Rugby Union.
The government of military leader Commodore Frank Bainimarama threatened to withhold 3 million Fiji dollars ($1.6 million) in funding for its World Cup bid, unless the board and executive members of the Fiji Rugby Union resigned over alleged mismanagement of a fundraising lottery.
The IRB has warned Fiji that any contravention of the union’s constitution could result in its expulsion from the world body, and its exclusion from international rugby.