BY JOHN DAVIDSON
Exclusive: Lote Tuqiri, one of Fiji’s greatest-ever players, has slammed RFL chief executive Ralph Rimmer over his controversial comments about the Fijian national rugby league team.
Rimmer mocked the Fijian squad at the RFL’s Championship awards on Monday night, telling the audience: “Fiji have already arrived. We don’t think anybody has been arrested yet, do we? No, we’re all right, so we are going pretty well then.”
The comments have been condemned across rugby league and Rimmer has faced a public backlash.
Tuquri, a dual code international who played for both the Bati and the Kangaroos, described Rimmer’s remarks as unacceptable.
“It’s really disappointing!” the 43-year-old told rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads.
“I don’t know why that would be even necessary as a cheap joke. Especially from someone in his position.”
The RFL is looking into the CEO’s comments and Rimmer has apologised, stating: “I apologise unreservedly for a throwaway remark which I regretted as soon as I made it.
“There was no intention to malign the Fiji squad – in fact the context of the remark was my excitement that their arrival in the country marked the imminence of the World Cup competition, to which they have contributed so significantly and positively since 1995, on and off the field.”
Troy Townsend, head of player engagement at football anti-racism organisation Kick It out, tweeted: “When you believe you are untouchable you basically can say what you want, when you want, how you want, in front of who you want?
“I always wonder, what is said behind the scenes if someone is brazen enough to talk in this way publicly.”
Calls have been made for Rimmer to either be suspended or for him to quit. immediately
The CEO will leave his post in December.
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