Players Are All Eligible Insist Spanish Sources

The scandal that has rocked Rugby Europe’s RWC 2019 qualifiers has all five participants involved. Romania’s place at RWC 2019 is assured of being taken away from them due to the country having breached player eligibility laws.

Prior to the revelation of Sione Faka’osilea having played Rugby Sevens for Tonga there had been a request for a rematch of the Belgium vs Spain qualifier. Moreover following the undeniable proof emerging that Faka’osilea was never eligible to play for Romania, additional information concerning others has surfaced.

For a complete overview of the situation click here.

Rugby Europe’s failure to ensure all players involved in the RWC qualifiers were legitimately eligible to compete has had catastrophic consequences for the organization. Serious concerns surround players from not only Romania but also from other competing countries.

Included is Spain, with Mathieu Bélie and Bastien Fuster being highly concerning cases. Both players came to be under question due to them having previously represented France at u20 level in matches that ought to see their eligibility bound to France, as outlined by World Rugby Regulation 8.

Nonetheless Spanish sources have today insisted that the players are all eligible. One such instance is that of Tristán “Chucho” Mozimán, the coach of Independiente Rugby Club de Santander who are currently in 4th spot in the Division de Honor. He affirms that the players all qualify for Spain via eligibility laws.

The investigations surrounding this precise matter has been taken over completely by World Rugby and Rugby Europe is to subsequently be significantly restructured.

To get the the bottom of the matter World Rugby is reported to have entered into contact directly with not the unions but the players themselves. Players from Belgium, Romania, Russia and Spain have all been asked to present papers, to prove their eligibility.

While World Rugby did not go on record it is understood that this very request is why the decision on Belgium vs Spain being replayed, or not, was postponed for a second time this past week.

The demand for a rematch has been made by not only Spain but by many neutral observers. Yet, it is understood that World Rugby has declined to have the match replayed. Instead it is firmly investigating whether countries did play in the RWC qualifiers with ineligible players.

Eligibility is simply deemed as being more important than the refereeing of the match in Brussels. World Rugby is, nonetheless, to sanction Vlad Iordachescu for his performance in Brussels. Also set to suffer are some Spanish players who verbally and physically abused the Romanian referee.

The final verdict is expected this coming week. Before it is made it has been noted off record that Romania has no defense over Sione Faka’osilea. He simply was never eligible and Romania’s argument is limited to not knowing about his prior involvement for Tonga.

Romania will be disqualified from RWC 2019 with Spain taking their place if the players are indeed able to prove their legitimate eligibility. If not the Russia will become Europe 1, and will face Japan in the RWC 2019 tournament opener in Tokyo.

Portugal, Samoa and Canada are all watching on with interest.