Fiji players nabbed after quarantine breakout
Two Fiji rugby players have been arrested for ignoring the Pacific nation’s coronavirus self-isolation rules, with local authorities to report their “irresponsible behaviour” to rugby’s world governing body.
The two men have not been publically identified but the Fiji Rugby Union confirmed they are professionals. Reports say the men are sevens players and internationals.
Fiji are the Olympic sevens champions and are currently third in the current world series, which has been put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama has accused the players of putting “the whole of Fiji at risk”.
He said one player who “had a high risk of exposure to the virus while overseas” had arrived from Singapore before he escaped quarantine at a hospital in Fiji.
“Unlucky for him he couldn’t step his way past our Fiji police force. He has been arrested and is in isolation at Nadi hospital,” Bainimarama said.
The Fiji Rugby Union would take “appropriate disciplinary actions against the professional rugby players, including reporting this highly irresponsible behaviour to their clubs and World Rugby,” chief executive John O’Connor said.
“The Fiji rugby family wants to put on record our great disappointment at the irresponsible behaviour of these two players putting their families and other Fijians at risk.
“Such irresponsible behaviour is totally unacceptable, and we support the actions of the police in arresting these two players and any further action taken against them.”
