Samoa's National University has been asked by the government's shipping minister to make a financial contribution to the 20,000 US Dollar fine paid to the American Samoa government last week.
The fine was imposed by American Samoa authorities after the university's seven a side rugby team had boarded the inter-island ferry MV Lady Naomi, without permits to enter the Territory.
The Samoa Shipping Corporation minister, Tuisugaletaua Sofara Aveau, told the Samoa Observer Newspaper that the corporation had paid the fine in full but are negotiating with the university to contribute part of it.
The minister did not say how much of the fine should be paid by the national university but says the shipping corporation went ahead and paid the fine because it jeopardized the future of inter-island ferry trips to Pagopago.
Meanwhile Tuisugaletaua says one shipping officer has been suspended for allowing the rugby team to board the ferry without entry permits.
