Skipper Cup: Referee Punched, Possible Life Ban For Naitasiri’s Keresi Maya
Talemaivavalagi sustained a suspected broken nose from the incident and the Fiji Rugby Union officials moved in to call off the match. They later awarded it to Tailevu.
Saturday 29 August 2020 | 23:42
Naitasiri under 19 lock Keresi Meya (circled in right photo, also pictured in Inset photo) taken in by Police after punching referee, Peni Talemaivavalagi (left photo) during their match against Tailevu at Ratu Cakobau Park on August 29, 2020. Photos: Ronald Kumar
Naitasiri Under-19 rugby flanker Keresi Maya was questioned by Police after he punched the referee during the Skipper Cup U19 match against Tailevu at Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori yesterday.
Tailevu led 15-12 when Maya disputed the referee Peni Talemaivavalagi’s decision before punching him.
Talemaivavalagi sustained a suspected broken nose from the incident and the Fiji Rugby Union officials moved in to call off the match. They later awarded it to Tailevu.
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Police officers came into the field to escort Maya to the Nausori Police Station for further questioning.
FRU operations manager Sale Sorovaki said Maya could face a life ban from rugby.
“There is no room for striking a referee in a rugby match,” he said.
“He punched the referee, but we’ll see how it goes because safety is paramount. He will be in Police custody and therefore it is in the hands of the law.”
It is understood that no charge has being laid as they wait for the referee to lodge a report with Police.
Edited by Jonathan Bryce
Feedback: simione.haravanua@fijisun.com.fj
