Samoa face World Rugby ban over prime minister's 'political madness', opposition warns
Samoa faces a potential four-year suspension from international rugby due to a government decision to withdraw support from the national rugby union. The opposition leader has criticized the move as political interference, while World Rugby seeks a resolution.
Why it matters
The suspension would have severe consequences for the nation's sporting identity and international standing.
Samoa's opposition leader Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi says the country faces suspension by World Rugby today because of "a dirty political move" by the government.
Tuilaepa's spoke to RNZ Pacific after the government announced that it was pulling its support of Lakapi Samoa due to "unresolved internal issues and division" at the national rugby union.
"The government does not provide the Samoa Rugby Union with any financial assistance, there are no internal issues, it's political madness on the part of the prime minister, " Tuilaepa, who is a former Samoan PM and the leader of the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP), said.
RNZ Pacific understands World Rugby has given the Samoan government until Friday to accept a review of its decision to withdraw recognition and financial support of the rugby union.
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