Fuimaono given six-month ban

Samoa centre Eliota Sapolu Fuimaono has been given a six-month ban from all rugby, suspended for two years, after a disciplinary panel found him guilty of misconduct for a Twitter rant in which he called a senior referee racist and biased.

The 30-year-old Gloucester player will also be expected to apologise to referee Nigel Owens, do 100 hours of community service at the International Rugby Board (IRB) high-performance centre in Samoa and attend a refeering course, rugby World Cup organisers said.

“If the player fails to comply with any of the above conditions or makes any public criticism which results in a proven misconduct offence regarding a match official, the IRB or the disciplinary process, the six-month playing suspension will be activated immediately,” organisers said.

Sapolu Fuimaoano had launched his tirade against Owens after the Welshman’s display in Samoa’s 13-5 loss to South Africa in their final pool game at North Harbour Stadium.