(ATR) One of the candidates for the World Rugby Executive Committee is out of the running following allegations of homophobia and discrimination.
Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) forced its chairman Francis Kean to resign from the World Rugby Council and replaced him with FRU CEO John O’Connor.
The decision follows a report in the UK’s Sunday Times alleging Kean used homophobic language in a recording while he was in charge of the Fiji prison service.
World Rugby, in a statement, said it "takes all allegations of behavior that is not in keeping with the sport’s strong and inclusive values and Bye-Laws extremely seriously.
"While it is important to stress that any allegations must be validated, following dialogue with World Rugby, the Fiji Rugby Union recognizes the seriousness of the allegations made and the need for them to be fully investigated, and that it is in the best interests of the sport that Mr Kean steps down from the Council and his Executive Committee candidature be withdrawn."
Kean has been a member of the council since May 2019 despite having been convicted of manslaughter in 2007.
The FRU is supporting Beaumont’s bid for re-election. He is facing opposition from former Argentina scrum-half and current federation vice-chairman Agustin Pichot, who wants more sweeping changes for the federation than the incumbent.
If elected, Pichot would be the first chairman from outside Europe.
With Kean out of the race, there are only seven candidates to fill the seven seats on the World Rugby Executive Committee.
French Rugby President Bernard Laporte is running unopposed for vice-chairman.
Voting opens next week with the results to be announced on May 12 at the World Rugby Council teleconference meeting.
Written by Gerard Farek
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