An open letter to the RFU. Please add your name to the signatories and repost wherever you like!
Dear RFU.
I am writing to express my disgust at recent allegations/charges made about Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolo and to ask where your hard line begins.
I’ll start by using the modern game as an example.
1) Is a tweet, offensive or not, more dangerous than Chris Hala’ufia’s recent ‘tackle’ made against Olly Morgan? A 7 week ban compare to Eliota’s potential 6 month ban? is that correct in your eyes? How about Ratovou in the corresponding Gloucester vs Saracens fixture last year, deliberately trying to get his leg under Charlie Sharples body as he dived for a try, why was he not cited? I take it as your view is that its fine to try and injure someone, but not to tweet about it. Bodies may be hurt, but not reputations or feelings.
2) Why have Eli’s tweets to 13’022 people been cited, but Chris Wyles hand gestures (middle finger and, well lets call it the Nescafe ‘shaking the beans’ motion) to the crowd, during a game shown on ESPN live and also other affiliate channels, as well as a 12k strong live crowd been deemed ok? Is it because a camera didn’t pick up the action? In which case, if Gloucester fans complain to you, will you act? How about again during the Gloucester Vs Saracens game last year when a ball was kicked off of the pitch into Gloucester fans by a Saracens fan AFTER the game had ended? or Steve Borthwick swearing at the Shed? Are these actions less serious than Eli’s tweets? (that were caused by the anger he felt at being abused on the pitch by Owen Farrell, who i believe wasn’t cited for calling Eliota a B**ch)
3) What length of ban was given to Collins and Cracknell of Worcester Warriors when they pulled fans (each others fathers if i recall) out of the crowd and assaulted them on the pitch after their relegation? Is THIS less of an offence than an angry tweet?
4) At an amateur level, last season after a game that my stepson was involved in at U15 level, a ‘bench clearing’ brawl occurred after a teammate of my stepson was assaulted, during the melee, the opposition coach was seen punching a 14 year old boy in the face on 2 occasions. The RFU appointed referee walked off and refused to act in any way. The club my stepson plays for complained to the RFU, and went to great lengths to accumulate many eyewitness statements, we NEVER heard a thing back about it. So a coach can assault a 14 year old child, but a player cannot tweet his true feelings.
5) Where was this Twitter crackdown when Olivier Azam was being abused on twitter following his yellow card in the Northampton Vs Gloucester game last season and Brett Sharman, Adam Eustace and one of the coaches who’s name i’ve forgotten were tweeting about both Olivier Azam and Gloucester fans in a derogatory fashion? Or is the hardline because Eliota was punished during the world cup.
It comes to something when a player who has always had a great rapport with fans and has had no real disciplinary problems until the last month or so has been given this tag of a troublemaker over his opinions that he shares on a social networking site, i believe free speech is legal, and i have no idea how he can be punished for his opinions when there are FAR more troubling matters happening in the world of rugby, and i am sickened at the thought that his career as a Gloucester player may come to a premature end on Saturday as he has been an entertaining player and an ambassador for the Aviva Premiership (check out his videos on Rugbydump if you don’t think he has a global reputation). I haven’t always agreed with some of his thoughts, but i believe he has the right to express his opinion in the same way as anyone else.
I beg of you to use something not often associated with the RFU, your common sense, and see this as a minor problem in a big Rugby world.
your’s faithfully
Richard Church Keen
#GlawsSOS
What is at stake is the ridiculousness of position if you find Eliota guilty of free speech.
With regards
Marc Moor
I know this probably won’t make a blind bit of difference, but it’s worth a try!!!
Rfu are bloody a…holes
For any reading this thinking its the idealistic view of a blinkered one eyed Gloucester fan, it is known the Richard (Pyr8) has an intense dislike of Eliota’s at times childish attitude, yet he will defend the situation. This isn’t about a Gloucester player, this is about a complete lack of standards from the ceiling in the iRB and RFU, and probably other Unions, with regard the core values of our much loved sport towards every player at every level.
We should all be encouraged to ensure that the GAME is Safe, then Enjoyable, then carried out to the Laws. The Referee is sacrosanct and Eliota fully (now) understands and appreciates this.
All players should be able to play, with extreme mutual respect at all levels.
But Eliota has not yet apologised to teh ref as he was instructed to in he IRB disciplinary hearing.
The people in charge of rugby don’t seem to understand the game and are just in it for the money.
I believe Eliota is being ‘made an example of’ in an attempt to make him shut up. He has a right to speak his mind.
I believe the opposite, he is making himself a martyr so he can go home to Samoa and become a politician.
seems like he’s retiring at the end of the season anyway,with that in mind, i can’t imagine he’d even have come home if he was trying to head back weeks later. even if he was making himself a martyr, there are still plenty of inconsistencies in the RFU/iRB punitive system that need to be highlighted!
Well said. Whilst I haven’t agreed 100% in some of the words EFS has chosen at times it is his right to say what he will on his personal online space. The whole thing smacks of over-reaction with the media/IRB and being pessimistic the RFU looking to hang Eliota out to dry.
Nicely Put Rich!!
Being a Bath Fan it’s not often that we see eye to eye with Gloucester fans but I conpletly agree with this! Why is EFS being hauled over the coals for voicing his opinion when there are far more serious issues that need looking into.
Come on RFU let’s look at the bigger picture and bring back some of the values that made our game great.
Of-course EFS has the right to free speech but he fundamentally missed one of Rugby’s core values – What happens on the pitch stays on the pitch. Sure, if he had not put his foot in his mouth previously this consequences wouldn’t be as serious but surely even the most die hard Glaws fan can see that his reaction to a loss was particularly churlish.
Farrell wound him up and he/the loss clearly got to EFS. It’s a bit embarrassing that a 20 year lad can so clearly unsettle a seasoned pro.
If people were going to be sore over what happens on the pitch and let it spill over into their private time the last thing that they should do is turn into a keyboard warrior and start throwing threats around.
What would the vast percentage of us do in the same situation? I reckon store that image of the little gobshite Farrell and use it as fuel for motivation etc when Glaws visit Vicarage Road later in the season. As it is, EFS will probably miss the game and because of his actions, rob us fans of the juicy rematch.
its not solely that tweet he’s been pulled in for, 2 charges of tweeting OTHER peoples opinions on IRB or RFU disciplinary procedures.
some big name support from Will Carling.
trevorlarge Trevor Large
“@willcarling: @trevorlarge @dickmowbray free speech angle is key. We need players with opinions, who think, who are interesting”
and
willcarling Will Carling
by RugbyDamian
The RFU & Clubs need to quickly understand Twitter & it’s power. Both good & bad. Blinkered view at moment that it is bad – think marketing!
Is it his bronze colour, his eyes maybe, his stature, his intelligence, his natural ability, his do or die attitude, his sense of fairness and justice, his Pacific island status, his anti establishment stand or what. One could run on and never run out, and when so much injustice as described in this open letter continues to be perpetrated against one individual consistently, then one can only speculate about conspiracy and collusive action by a group of “gutless” and “faceless” people who want to bring him down, only because he is “in their faces” by laying on the line clearly what he thinks and feels. No wonder he continues to lash out. Go Eliota! Do your thing! Remain true to yourself. God bless you.
What a beautifully written response…
just like the saying goes ‘i disagree with what you’re saying but i will defend to the death your right to say it’.
Every human being is entitled to their own opinion. When you feel like you’ve been discriminated against, looked down upon and treated unfairly who wouldn’t voice this? Eliota may have went about it unprofessionally but in the heat of the moment who thinks these things through? I applaud Eliota for coming out and voicing his concerns. He has thousands of people behind him. For him to be suspended for 6 months for voicing his opinion is in itself unjust, the last time i checked having an opinion was not a crime.
Good on him for speaking up about the injustices of the IRB and what not, it is about time someone does.
If EFS is considered to have brought the game into disrepute, then surely Farrell and Wyles must be similarly charged. Let us see fairness and consistency from the RFU.
As a Tigers fan I have some sympathy with Eli and feel for him as I think the RFU will be harsh and give him a long ban which i would disagree with. However, it was in affect slander and in todays society Farrell could form a libel suit against him. Eli seem to be an intelligent man with a good heart and if I am honest he has brought it on himself and he needs to learn from this and put the complaints through “Official” channels and not social networks.
I agree, he has bought it on himself, but is 6 months suitable punishment? Just remember the rfu refused to punish Cueto for gouging. 6 months for tweeting, compared to nothing for gouging? Is that right? Re Farrell, I don’t think slander would come into it as Eli only offered him some, well, unfriendly advice. So I see what you’re saying, but don’t agree with that bit! lol.
So, has it become politically incorrect to trash talk on another player in sports? Did he attack his sexuality or family? RFU get it right. lol, trying to make money like the IRB for the wrong reasons.
I don’t agree with the punishment at all. We are behind you all the way Eliota…
All points raised are valid and meaningful.
The RFU need to explain every example stated and stop scapegoating twitter as a demonising force when actually it allows freedom of speech within and between clubs.
#tigersfamily #glawsfamily #RUGBYfamily
Whilst they put their focus on this – other things that are considered more offensive ( at least to us normal human beings) like foul play etc are being swept under the carpet, some have even been broadcasted on sports channels etc yet are still totally being ignored. Is it because they are trying to use ANYTHING they can find against Eliota? because he is raising injustice issues within the RFU IRB etc ? – They are trying to shut him up. I don’t think charging him for voicing his opinions will SHUT HIM UP! It won’t shut any of us up! Free speech IS legal! Why he is punished for this or even CONSIDERED to be punished for this? Leaves me clueless. Also – If he is about to be punished for his ‘tweets’, why not punish Farrell for calling him a bitch?? and what ever other stuff he said. Same thing ain’t it? LOL.. Or is there no fairness and consistency in RFU!? Like Richard Church Keen said “there are FAR more troubling matters happening in the world of rugby..”
Like everyone else, fans and non-fans, whether they like the words he used or not – we ALL agree on one thing – Freedom of speech! May it be by tweeting it or speaking it – voicing your opinions is by all means in our minds – legal.
Also, retweeting a tweet isn’t implying that you said it, as much as liking a status on facebook doesn’t imply that you’re saying it!
Shirley.B
Ps – nicely said Hinauri Petana!
Also – To Richard Church Keen.
Thank you! A lot of us agree with everything you said! And it is known that you are sometimes not a fan of how Eliota says things, which just shows this letter is not in favouritism of any player or team, but purely to show the disagreement we all share with the punishment he is said to be received. Thanks for pointing out how small this matter is compared to all the other matters in the rugby world, that are like you said “Far more troubling” than this. We all can see it – RFU clearly don’t. I hope they take your letter in serious consideration and drop any charges made against E.F.S!
Thank you!
Justice will prevail Eliota.
I feel that Eliota should maybe get a ban for his views as he has, in my opinion gone too far (e.g. calling Mr. Owens a racist). But IF he is found to be guilty on Monday and may receive a 6 month ban is just outrageous. How can it be that Schalk Burger get a few weeks for gouging Luke Fitzgerald on the 2009 Lions tour and someone tweeting their views gets 6 months. The RFU need to put this in perspective. What about Rougerie gouging in the RWC final??? Any punishment given? Gouging is FAR more dangerous than opinions on Twitter. Gavin Quinell, brother of Scott, Lost sight permanently in his left eye due to gouging in a rugby match.
I sincerely hope that the RFU and the citing commissioner will use their heads and hopefully common sense will prevail.
Eliota is being the hunted scapegoat by IRB & RFU because he speaks his mind? Come on guys, Judge Blackett the same guy who imposed the 6 months suspended ban on EFS qt RWC, now same guy to have investigated & now brings these RFU charges. It’s a joke when Blackett accused EFS of being a martyr, when thousands turn up in Auckland to support him @his RWC hearing… Historically the English colonized Samoa politically. With this EFS treatment, it becomes evident the English RFU is doing it’s utmost best to colonize the MINDS of a Samoan player, publicly lynching him to ensure all other Samoans playing in England, SHUT UP. Or the same treatment will be done to you. This is mind controlling enslavement ! Times have changed & the form of enslavement of a native Samoan has also changed. We see it now through controlling his freedom of expression, through RFU & IRB .
Typical cowards from the RFU, every time.
Well written!! Agreed with every comment, unfortunately the RFU will not see any point and suspend Eli for freedom of speech! If it had been me that had tweeted who would of cared!
Thanks Gemma. i’ve made that point by making a foul mouth anti IRB tweet. i’ve had no citation as of yet. Plus, Eliota was originally banned for tweeting about Nigel Owens, Owens made a comment about a stadium announcer being a dick, so far, nothing from the IRB….the world is watching…
I saw that you had tweeted that, I thought about complaining to the WRFU to see what their attitude was!
This is disgusting and unfair against Eli. I am ashamed at how an international organization like the RFU is so BACKWARDS in their thinking and archaic. RFU, you are LYNCHING a person who has a different opinion – your morals are BARBARIC and you CRUCIFY Eli for believing in his principles and standing his own ground. IRB, you are DEPRIVING ELI of the FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHT of FREE SPEECH. If you ban Eliota, you are disgusting because you treat him like he is a ‘subhuman’. Is he not a human? Does he not have a HUMAN right of free speech? Absolutely disappointing.
Great letter. Typical RFU taking something out of proportion when there are other parts of the game that needs attention. Unfortunately with the RFU it is the same story. They are out of touch. I agree with Gemma the RFU will suspend Eli for freedom of speech
[...] I recently posted an open letter to the RFU via wordpress, and i was expecting 50 or 60 views, after roughly 53 hours the letter on this site alone (it is also hosted elsewhere) has nearly 2000 views. I am frankly astonished by this. The original post can be found here http://pyr8speaks.wordpress.com/2011/11/04/an-open-letter-to-the-rfu/ . [...]
Thank you Mr Keen for your informative letter. I share your disgust with RFU.Their inconsistent rulings is obvious in the incidences you have mentioned. I support your call to the RFU that they ought to consider Eliota Fuimaono Sapolu’s tweet as minor compared to incidents of dangerous play, publicly viewed rude gestures, and failure to punish and account for their actions to fans and families of those injured/ victimized in RFU games. I call attention to RFU for its unfair efforts to silence an islander player (a global favourite) who has every right to speak and point to injustice in RFU rules. Coaches and referees should be reprimanded instead of being protected if their actions cause injury to players, fans or their families. When RFU makes unfair decisions player, their families and their fans are stressed/traumatised as a result. RFU ought to consider this too.
To RFU.
If you deprive Eliota the right of freedom of speech, you are depriving an extra-ordinary individual the ability to advocate independent fair comments (which he has been making) and opinions with the purpose of emphasizing problems and issues that need to be addressed. Furthermore, you are adversely impacting the perception of the next up and coming generation of rugby players leaving a detrimental legacy.
Eliota Fuimaono – Sapolu has ‘tweeted’ comments criticizing rugby players, rugby’s disciplinary process, IRB and the Rugby World Cup limited and so forth. It seems you condemn this. However, it should be duly noted that this conflict becomes problematic when viewed in its overall context. On a very fundamental basis; freedom of speech (yep, this is seen through criticism and scrutiny – provided it is ‘fair’ and justified in a free and democratic society) encourages a healthier democratic society that can easily find solutions to problems, encourage new thoughts, ideas and opinions that emphasize issues people face. This can only be facilitated through free dialogues, discussions and debates without suppression.
Eliota’s twitter account exercises this valuable mechanism encouraging expression with a view of improvement and progression. It is horrific and absurd that Eli has been threatened with an unusual sanction if he criticizes or scrutinizes the same organization that purports to enhance the interests of the game. Eli has been doing the same thing by bringing many issues to the forefront. How is Eli’s twitter account any different from press, media and journalists protected by the privilege of fair comments that are justified in a free and democratic society? In this case, it is unfortunate and unprecedented that Eliota Fuimaono – Sapolu is an advocate and a world renowned rugby player at the same time.
This may be a very bodacious idea because it is a diplomatic approach but will surely allow a win/win for both parties. Rather than continuously penalizing Eliota for his fair thoughts and comments (that undoubtedly reflect the same views of the public) you should instead try and maybe break bread and shake hands – publicly. Having an organization that embraces a one-of-a-kind but epitomizing rugby player as well as giving mind to people’s concerns/issues will do you so much good. It is a breath of fresh air in this suffocating geo-political-corporate environment. As well as gaining back people’s confidence, this act will reinforce you as an organization that genuinely cares about preserving the integrity of the game even if it means embracing the people’s champion/inspiration whom single handedly does have an effect on the perception of the next generation eager to play rugby and are the next up-and-coming stars.
If otherwise, the precedent being set and the consequences that flow from it will result in terrifying ramifications such as cracking whips on rugby players to only play rugby as it is, without having an additional facet of contributing efforts to progressing and improving the infrastructure of the game for everyone.This is to ordinary. This is to average.
Eliota Fuimaono Sapolu is not only a rugby player, his story captures the elements of a person or a human being who had strived to be the best he can be in every field (no pun intended) he undertook. He is an inspiration to children (and to the people in general) everywhere to follow suit. To cut this man down and confine him to the ordinary space will dash the hopes of young and very talented rugby players whom are also broadly ambitious to only just fit into the status quo.
Michael Sapolu.
Stunning reply, Michael. If the worst happens tonight and Eliota is suspended we will be looking to continue th3 pressure on the rfu. Any ideas or help is greatly appreciated. I made a post last night that if the ban is given, against the wishes of the fans that the Rfu represent, and if they continually punish opinion rather than foul play, then surely THEY are bringing the game into disrepute
Really? He deserves everything he gets, gets taught a lesson in English Rugby by a 20 year old then moans about it on twitter. Accuses farrell of giving it big on the pitch but not off it? Isnt that what Rugby is all about? Im not going to go on about one eyed gloucester supporters, but he has been warned about his tweeting had a 6 month ban hanging over him then does this. Whether you think what he is saying has some substance is irrelevant, and comparing this to rugby related incidents is also irrelevant. Every player tries to get away with as much as possible on the pitch and not get caught. Unfortunately for EFS he tried to get his sly dig in on farrell on a computer and now doesnt have a leg to stand on.
A) the charges are related to anti IRB comments, not the Farrell ones. B) taught a lesson? Did you see the game? Apart from the kicking, Farrell did nothing.
Farrell clearly got the better of EFS in the game and upset him, kicked the winning points, set up the winning try and stopped your home winning run. Good day at the office if you ask me. The recent comments on Farrell on twitter are surely not going to help his position with the RFU. Quote from Sky ‘Gloucester’s Samoan centre Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu is in trouble again after he threatened Saracens’ Owen Farrell in an outburst on Twitter.
Fuimaono-Sapolu could face a six-month ban after calling Farrell a “p***** s***” and telling the young fly-half he would not be welcome in Samoa.’ Clearly the Farrell comments are part of the reason the 6 month ban is going to be activated. if he hadnt said anything about farrell he wouldnt be in this position.
And if you read the rfu press release, it was for tweeting and retweeting anti IRB messages. I take it from your response that you didnt watch the game, Farrell was anonymous til Hodgson went off, Goode was far better. I’m not here to discuss the game anyway. There are plenty of forums you can use for that.
Completely agree. EFS was wrong to call a ref a racist cheat, and wrong about the facts of that situation: even if Samoa had beaten SA, Wales would still have qualified ahead of them. But the idea that he could be banned from playing because of a tweet about the inadequates wearing blazers at the IRB: the same people who thought that France walking towards the haka was worth a fine, but England’s management cheating during the Romania game was not; that wearing the wrong gumshield should be punished, but let gougers get away with it? The idea that those people should be above any criticism? Absolutely absurd, and an affront to natural justice.
I was actually at the game, and the game is very relevant to this topic. Owen Farrell’s gamesmanship upset EFS and he wasnt able/ capable to respond on the pitch so tried to do it on twitter. If EFS was a bit more articulate about how he airs his views i may have some sympathy for him. But what he was saying about farrell was unprofessional and it just makes me feel that he is a bad loser. What he has written about Farrell is openly offensive, not to mention the wholly inappropriate comments made during the world cup. You will now say that Farrell called him a b*tch on the pitch. Im sure in the 80 minutes team mates call eachother far worse. And no of course Farrell wouldnt be cited for calling a player a b*tch, that would just be silly now wouldnt it?
Remember Eliota is Samoan & of the Samoan cultture. IRB and now RFU is of the European culture. Everyone enjoy the Baka & siva Tau before international matches. They are challenges to the opposition & the opposition can step up from that challenge as the French did in the RWC finals. Eliotas tweets are merely everyday challenges, besides he was free to think & express his thoughts . If RFU sanctions a cultural upbringing where open challenges are normal & ordinary daily matters in a Samoans life, then IRB need to sanction the hakas etc
If Eli is suspended tonight then twitter, facebook and myspace and all networking sites should be shut as every status update or tweet is an opinion and freedom of speech so surely they should all be shut down!!
But he knew he had a six month ban hanging over his head, rightly or wrongly. Then went too far again on twitter. Surely as Gloucester fans you are disappointed with the actions of your player who is probably going to get a six month ban that is completely unnecessary. How disappointing that we are going to miss that match up in the return match. Watching EFS line up against faz in that match would be a far greater advert for the spirit of Rugby than Eliota ranting on twitter. I doubt many would have sympathy if it was a sarries player getting the ban.
i have NO issue with him being banned, but 6 months? really? 6 months? you get less for gouging. is tweeting worse? no, we are making the point that the punishment does NOT fit the crime.
Well I certainly agree with that. Six months is far too long.
It would have been more effective if you had checked your spelling and grammar.
the website autocorrects it. blame them.
I may be able to accept some curtailment of players’ freedom of speech to protect the reputation of the professional sport (not sure how it can be truly justified). But to hold the reputation of the rugby union higher in importance that the safety of players is truly shocking.
This is an exceptionally good read and I admit to reading sections of it with my mouth open in disgust!
The RFU seem to have a very blinkered view!