A report that New Zealand could be forced to host the interim head of Fiji's government, Commodore Voreqe (Frank) Bainimarama, during the Rugby World Cup (RWC) is "plain wrong", Rugby World Cup Minister Murray McCully said.
A Sunday newspaper reported that Cdre Bainimarama's brother-in-law, convicted killer Francis Kean, was seeking
the chairmanship of the Fiji Rugby Union and that if he was successful, Cdre Bainimarama was expected to become its president.
New Zealand would then have to host both men at the September-October RWC - at a cost of $45,000 to the taxpayer - despite both being banned from entering New Zealand.
But Mr McCully rejected the report and said New Zealand, as a sovereign nation, had total control over who could visit the country at all times - including during the RWC.
"Members of the Fiji military regime are currently covered by sanctions, which means that any request for a visitor's visa would be denied," he said.
Anyone denied a visa could apply for an exemption, and that request would be considered by the Government.
"Under current circumstances, any such request (from the Fiji military regime) will be denied. I have made this position clear to the International Rugby Board," Mr McCully said.
"Obviously we do not want to exclude anyone from the Rugby World Cup. But the position currently is very clear. The sanctions apply."
- NZPA
