Fiji rugby director sacked for saying 'gay problem' in women's team

Fiji say they have fired their director of rugby after she reportedly questioned whether the national women's side had a "gay problem".

Former player Laijipa Naulivou reportedly criticised "lesbianism" within the women's rugby set-up in an interview with a local newspaper earlier this week.

"Those who played with me know that I do not condone being gay for women in rugby," she reportedly told the Fiji Sun.

Naulivou also reportedly questioned whether Fiji's women's side — ranked 16th in the world — had been hamstrung by a "gay problem".

Under mounting pressure to act, Fiji's rugby union said it "made the decision to terminate" Naulivou as director of rugby.

"The views expressed by Laijipa Naulivou are her personal opinions and do not reflect the official position of the FRU," the union said in a statement late Wednesday.

"Our women's team and all players can rest assured that this will in no way impact their opportunities, representation and continued development as integral members of Fiji Rugby."

Naulivou had only recently been appointed to the top job.

She was the first captain of the Fiji women's 15-a-side team and had played an "instrumental" role fostering Fijian women's sport, according to a profile by the University of the South Pacific.

AFP