“It is very disappointing and unhelpful that such statements have been made without any attempt to establish the details of the robust disciplinary processes all players go through whenever such complaints are received” – Fijian Drua CEO Mark Evans.
In an article published in The Fiji Times, the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre has accused Drua management of covering up domestic violence allegations against its players.
Co-ordinator for the centre Shamima Ali, spoke to Fiji Times stating that players were encouraged by management to file counter charges against their partners, swaying the attention from the real issue which is abuse.
“This is how they shift the blame, it’s a deliberate tactic and it has been happening for years” Ali said.
“This is a cover up plain and simple,” she added.
Ali had also called for “immediate suspension for players involved”
The two players in question are halfback Peni Matawalu and midfielder Iosefo Masi.
Local media reported that both players were involved in cases of assault/domestic violence.
Fiji Police say Matawalu is under investigation following allegations of domestic violence in March, with his wife filing an assault complaint.
Masi appeared before Magistrate Semi Babitu in a special court sitting at the Nadi Magistrate court last Saturday, with one count of assaulting his partner.
Both players were both stood down immediately from playing. Matawalu was not selected and Masi was dropped out of the Waratahs game after originally being named.
In a statement also released today signed by CEO Mark Evans, Fijian Drua have stated their disappointment in the claims made by Ali in The Fiji Times.
“The unfounded accusation published in the Fiji Times today that the senior management of the Fijian Drua encouraged players to counter charge their partners is completely and utterly incorrect” Evans said
“There has never been and never will be any attempt by anyone involved in disciplinary processes at the Drua to do so. It is also incorrect to claim that no players were stood down – they were whilst internal investigations were completed”
“It is very disappointing and unhelpful that such statements have been made without any attempt to establish the details of the robust disciplinary processes all players go through whenever such complaints are received”
Statements were released by Drua on April 22nd and May 2nd in regards to the actions/process they had taken in regards to both Matawalu and Masi.
Peni Matawalu (April 22nd ) Based on information available at the time, the Club completed an internal process and sanctioned the player accordingly in line with our own standards. We are aware of news reports of potential investigations by the authorities, and it’s only fair to all parties concerned to let the process take its course. As mentioned earlier, he has already been sanctioned in line with previously available information. We can confirm that the sanctions were extensive. We will await the outcome of any process undertaken by the authorities to determine the Club’s next steps.
Iosefo Masi (May 2nd ) The Fijian Drua has concluded its investigations into two of its players who were involved in an incident that has been publicly reported. However, given that both cases are going through a legal process at present, the Club will not announce any sanctions-related decisions until such time that the legal process has run its course. This is to respect the court process currently underway and protect all parties from prejudicial risk. As a result of this decision, both players are available for Club and Country duties as part of their employment requirements. The Fijian Drua will not make further comments on the matter until an appropriate time.
In 2023, Vinaya Habosi was stood down by Drua immediately after he was caught in a similar offence.
