FNRL faces scrutiny after chairman’s abuse claim

With the Rugby League World Cup less than seven months away, the situation at the Fiji National Rugby League (FNRL) has gone from bad to worse.

The Fiji Police Force will confirm today of a report concerning FNRL’s chairman Rajesh Singh, who was alleged racially abused by some FNRL office staff.

The was confirmed to SUNsports yesterday by Police spokesman, Sergeant Wame Bautolu.

It is alleged that Singh was to hand out suspension letters to certain FNRL office staff to allow for an investigation to take place. The investigation was due to findings highlighted in an independent report by Pherrus Financial Services.

Trouble was brewing when Pherrus Financial Services was assigned to conduct their investigation at the FNRL headquarters.

In an email dated February 13, this year, Fiji National Sports Commission (FNSC) executive chairman Peter Mazey expressed his concern to the FNRL board that their staff was obstructing and not providing requested information and documentation to the Pherrus staff.

He further indicated that if Pherrus withdraws then the situation at FNRL would be referred to the Minister of Justice and Fiji Independent Commission of Corruption (FICAC).

Mazey also confirmed that a copy of the Pherrus report would be provided to the Australian High Commission as to ensure protection of future (DFAT) Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade investments in FNRL.

The Pherrus report has been completed and endorsed by the FNRL board as they will take the matter to the next step.

When contacted, Singh claimed he was racially abused in front of two Police officers who advised him to report the case and they would be his witness.

“Yes, I was giving out suspension letters to some (NRL) staff so investigation could be carried out and also to other staff members whose work contract have expired in 2023 but are still on the FNRL payroll, how can that be?” he alleged.

“Also, we must note that the International Rugby League (IRL) and National Rugby League (NRL) don’t condone racial abuse.

“I’ll also lodge my case with them as we don’t condone racist people.”

Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Aliki Bia told SUNsports that he was aware of the financial shortfalls faced by FNRL.

“The government don’t want to be seen as interfering in all these national sporting organisations,” Bia said.

“If government interferes, one disadvantage is that the international sporting organisations will withdraw all its funding.”

Bia added that Government does not wish to intervene in the internal affairs of the NSO’s despite these organisations receiving government grant.

“The Fiji National Sports Commission is mandated to look after these sporting organisations in terms of administration, policies and regulations.”

Bia said he was not aware of reports that certain FNRL staff members hurled racial abuse against FNRL chairman Rajesh Singh.

“If it’s a police report then we’ll let the investigation take its due course,” he added.