Romania To Appeal RWC 2019 Decision

Romania is to officially appeal the RWC 2019 decision handed down to them today by World Rugby. The global governing body of rugby disqualified Romania, Belgium and Spain for all feeling ineligible players in qualifying matches.

The severe punishments override the prior confirmation that Belgium vs Spain should be replayed. Romania had been confirmed as Europe 1 and Spain was one match away from being Europe 2. Instead Russia is now Europe 1 and will open RWC 2019 against Japan in Tokyo.

In addition to facing Japan Russia will also have matches against Ireland and Scotland and a play-off qualifier, likely to be Samoa. The Pacific Islanders will face the winner of Germany vs Portugal (Europe 2) and the winner will complete Russia’s pool in Japan.

World Rugby handed 5-point penalties for each qualifying game in which an ineligible player was used and a £25,000 fine for each ineligible player used, or in the case of Romania £100,000 as they are part of the World Rugby Council.

The Romanian Rugby Federation (FRR) stated exactly why it will be appealing. The details are as follows:

• In 2015 the FRR sent documents to World Rugby to clarify the eligibility of foreign players. World Rugby notified them to only do so in cases in a player’s eligibility was unclear.
• To gain clarity the FRR sent emails to the rugby unions of Fiji and Tonga. Fiji responded confirmed that Eseria Vueti was unable to represent Romania.
• Tonga did not respond to which Romania asks World Rugby for an email address. World Rugby gave Romania the  contact of President Fe’ao Vunipola who confirms Sione Faka’osilea can play for Romania.
• Faka’osilea signs a World Rugby form declaring, on his own responsibility, that he has not played for the national representative team of his country of origin and gives a statement declaring he has not been officially notified of his capture by Tonga.
• Russia and Spain claim Sione Faka’osilea is ineligible following the completion of the 2017-2018 Rugby Europe Championship.
• Romania provide World Rugby with the requested documentation following the controversy which also included the eligibility of players representing Belgium and Spain.