Banned Samoa RWC player Sapolu speaks out

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 7:00p.m.

Eliota Fuimaono Sapolu

View Video

'Balanced' schedule for 2015 Rugby World Cup

All Blacks open RWC defence at Wembley

Fairer draw for minnows at future World Cups

Closing arguments in bouncer's 'Tindallgate' trial

The Rugby World Cup has its first banned player – not for what he did on the field, but for what he said off it.

His name is Eliota Fuimaono Sapolu, a Samoan midfielder who played his first test in 2005 and what may have been his last, against South Africa on Friday.

Born in Samoa, raised in Auckland, Sapolu is based in England where he plays for Gloucester.

But this afternoon the IRB suspended him from all rugby, after he failed to attend a hearing called to discuss his angry outbursts on Twitter about the Rugby World Cup.

The 30-year-old had called a ref a “racist”, compared the treatement of Samoa and other countries at the Cup to slavery and much more.

The IRB called him into a formal hearing – he didn’t appear.

Speaking to Campbell Live this evening, Sapolu said he didn’t even know it was on.

Watch the video

Comments [141]

Saute Sapolu, Jr

18/10/2011 10:41:45 p.m.

@...................aifuavaisigano, I think your Bible versus Proverb 29; 11, is talking about you. Check out the versus before versus#11, Go ahead and read versus #10 first, "Bloodthirsty men hate a man of intergrity and seek to kill the upright. Now read your versus #11, "A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control."....You got it now?..."don't gives full vent to your anger",...be like..."a wise man keeps himself under control. Eliota was in control all these time when his family was vitimize by Prime Minister Tuilaepa's gangsters. Eliota still in control! You sound like you are one of Prime Minister Tuilaepa's gangster. Be careful we SAMOA are no fool.

kemi sa'u jnr

13/10/2011 12:41:01 a.m.

HEY USO WAT U DID WAS BRAVE USO LET U KNOW U HAVE ME N MY FAMILYS SUPPORT SAMOA MO SAMOA CHEEEEEE HOOOOO MANGERE LOVE USO

auluaetafaeaeaafiaiaifuavaisigano

12/10/2011 6:32:59 p.m.

You're a FOOL Eliota, the bible said so. I am so ashamed of you. Is this to backfire on all of us here in Samoa for the recent mistreatment of your family. What a way to relieve yourselves.

To prove that youre exactly a fool as I said. Read Proverbs 29.11 instead of your 'Acts'

SAUTE SAPOLU,JR

11/10/2011 10:06:24 p.m.

MANU SAMOA IS "GOD'S NATION RUGBY TEAM", the BIGGEST NATION ON EARTH. "EVIL SPIRIT" CAN NOT WIN AGAINST IT. IT'S "GOD'S TEAM", EVEN WHEN THEY LOSS BY POINTS. FIVE(5) POINTS SAMOA HAS IS A MESSAGE FROM JEHOVAH GOD, FIVE(5) POINTS STAND FOR FIVE STARS ON THE SAMOA FLAG THAT REPRESENT THE SCRIFICE JESUS OFFERED HIS OWN "LIFE" SO YOU AND I CAN BE SAVE. SOUTH AFRICA 13 POINTS, REPRESENT 13 RICHEST FAMILIES IN THE WORLD THAT CONTROL ALL POWERFUL NATIONS. NOW WHICH ONE YOU THINK WON THE GAME? AND WILL BE REMEMBER THE MOST?

Vui

11/10/2011 8:16:13 p.m.

I take my hat off to Mr Eliota Sapolu, for sticking up to his right. Son, you are a Hero in my eyes and keep the flame burning, because the understanding world have o doubts in what you stand for. And for all Samoans, just read my column in Samoa Star Newspaper tittled; "SAMOA LOU PALE NE'I AVEA" where my full support is all written there. GO THE MANU"

Get

11/10/2011 5:01:15 a.m.

this guy is a moron

real

10/10/2011 5:48:31 a.m.

Well for those who hate Eliota and dont agree of what he is doing now...well you all got nothing in your hearts...just leave him, he is doing the right thing, he has to stand up and speak for the right and for the truth....just because you gys can't do what he can do....Eliota is doing the right thing and he definetly making the right decision...Im sure Eliota doesn't even care about what you all said about him...i think he will just turn his ass on all of you that hated him....just leave him alone.....Eliota go harder and you are doing your part and what you are suppose to do...don't make those stupid people stop you from doing the rite thing...we will always on your side...good luck...

Luma

9/10/2011 6:07:12 p.m.

why dont we just be happy that ever since Sapolu said these comments we have finally realized how bad the IRB are? even though Sapolu's comments were controversial but at the end of the day we can see how the IRB are so intimidated over a person standing up for themselves. if you were in the same position wouldn't you do the same thing? Iwouldn't care about Sapolu's comments i'll care about the IRb and how they are tarnishing RUGBYS IMAGE!! What the IRB did call the ABs "REPLACEABLE" to me that seems worse :)

Sifi

8/10/2011 11:03:03 a.m.

At the 1999 RWC, the IRB created a rule to the effect that a referee was not to be appointed to a match in which the winning team might next play a team from his homeland. The panel selecting referees in this RWC tournament has inexplicably disregarded this ruling. One of the reasons the Samoan player and lawyer, Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, has been so outspoken against the IRB is his anger that Samoa's match against South Africa was refereed by the Welshman Nigel Owens. If Samoa defeated South Africa, Wales were out of the tournament. Although the appointment did not come strictly under the IRB's rule, it violated the principle of a clear, perceived neutrality of the referees. And I add this further fact, without comment or any inference: the chairman of the panel that makes the refereeing appointments is David Pickering, the chairman of the Welsh Rugby Union. Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/rugby-union/rugby-world-cup/irb-drops-the-ball-again-by-ignoring-its-own-rules-20111007-1ldj2.html#ixzz1a8TbvHB6

marz

8/10/2011 1:01:11 a.m.

My gosh.. hasn't this gone out of hand!! So let me add my 2tala. It's makes me laugh so much that the IRB (IKAE RUGBY BOGAUAS) went as far as blaming our culture, tradition, religion etc etc. but yet all of the mentioned!! Had nothing what so ever to do with the game... gosh take a trip to SAMOA n our high chiefs will teach you how to play rugby........... ELIOTA!! you are now a history maker in the world of rugby!! Faafetai lava:)