World Rugby investigates allegations against Francis Kean

The Fiji Rugby Union will not say anything at this stage as World Rugby has begun an investigation into the chairman of the Fiji Rugby Union, which has backed Sir Bill Beaumont's bid for re-election as boss of the world game.

BBC reports that Francis Kean is under pressure to stand down amid accusations of homophobia and discrimination.

The report further says that the allegations against Kean, who was convicted of manslaughter in 2007, are being taken "extremely seriously" by World Rugby, the sport's governing body.

A petition is also going around to oppose Francis Kean’s nomination to be voted into World Rugby’s executive committee.

We have now received a call from a Fiji Times journalist saying that he is not behind the promotion and signing of the petition on email, although the email is being circulated widely to many people.

The FRU has also seconded Beaumont's nomination to stand again as World Rugby chairman.

The BBC is saying Kean is now under pressure to withdraw from that process.

Kean has not said anything.

However some of the officials we have spoken to have said that it is sad that politics has wormed it’s way into World Rugby.

World Rugby has also stressed that Beaumont's nomination came from the Fiji Rugby Union, rather than from the chairman individually.

Some of the overseas media had earlier said that Kean had nominated Beaumont however it is clearly stated that the nomination came from FRU.

Beaumont and rival Agustin Pichot are entering their final week of campaigning before the vote opens on 27th April.

World Rugby has said in a statement that rugby is a sport built on strong and inclusive values and World Rugby does not in any way condone any abusive or discriminatory behaviour, as outlined within its by-laws.

World Rugby says it is currently in dialogue with the Fiji Rugby Union about the nature of the allegations and it would be inappropriate to further comment at this time.

Kean currently represents Fiji on the World Rugby Council.

World Rugby says a place on the council is awarded to the union, in this case the FRU rather than any individual, and that Fiji met the relevant criteria under the revised governance process launched in November 2015.

Beaumont has pledged a full governance review if he is re-elected, including a 'fit and proper persons' test.

The election result will be confirmed at a World Rugby Council meeting on 12th May.