SUVA, Fiji (AP) – A high-ranking rugby official in Fiji was dismissed shortly after her appointment due to her comments about “this gay issue” regarding women’s national teams.
Laijipa Naulivou stepped down as rugby director prior to the Fiji Rugby Union revoking her appointment to strengthen a “commitment to maintaining professional standards and protecting the integrity of Fiji Rugby.”
The FRU stated on Wednesday that it “firmly opposes any type of discrimination.”
Naulivou, the inaugural captain of the Fiji women’s team, stated in an interview featured in the Fiji Sun, “those who played alongside me are aware that I do not support homosexuality among women in rugby.”
“I consistently voice my opposition to it and I realize I’m quite unpopular among those who engage in it,” she stated, later mentioning “this gay issue” as one of the challenges facing rugby in Fiji.
The report referenced purported conflicts concerning sexuality within the women’s sevens team as a factor for their performance at the Paris Olympics last year. Three years after winning bronze at the Tokyo Olympics, Fiji lost all five matches and finished 12th and last in Paris.
The opinions shared by Laijipa Naulivou are her own and do not represent the official stance of FRU,” stated the union. “Our women’s team and every player can be confident that this will not affect their chances, representation, or ongoing growth as essential parts of Fiji Rugby.”
“FRU firmly advocates for inclusion and non-discrimination as essential values of the sport,” it stated. “A new position will be filled in a timely manner via a thorough and open selection procedure.”