29 Aug 2011

Fiji rugby union chief won't comment on NZ entry ban for World Cup

3:59 pm on 29 August 2011

Fiji's top rugby official who's also a senior military chief won't comment on not being allowed to enter New Zealand for the Rugby World Cup.

Lieutenant Colonel Mosese Tikoitoga is both chairman of the Fiji Rugby Union and Land Force Commander.

He says he still hasn't heard officially that he's not being allowed to enter New Zealand despite a media statement by New Zealand's Foreign Minister.

Murray McCully says the government's made it very clear anyone with military or regime links will be turned down under sanctions imposed following Fiji's 2006 coup.

"My understanding is that this message should have been communicated through the system to him well and truly before now. The decision was made last week immediately upon the request being made to us."

Mr McCully says another rugby union board member with links to the regime has also had his application refused.

He says he'll only recommend special dispensation from the sanctions if regime associates have genuinely and permanently broken their links.