Fuimaono-Sapolu in hot water

Published: Friday, 4. November, 2011 in category Gloucester
Fuimaono-Sapolu: In more hot water

He will face three charges of "conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game" relating to comments made on his Twitter account.

The 31-year-old Samoa international was recently handed a suspended six-month ban by the International Rugby Board for comments he made accusing Welsh referee Nigel Owens of bias during Samoa's pool stage defeat to South Africa at the World Cup.

And he now finds himself in further bother with the rugby authorities after being accused of making derogatory comments about Saracens' Owen Farrell following Gloucester's defeat to the Aviva Premiership champions, being critical of the rugby disciplinary process, and the Rugby World Cup and International Rugby Board.

Fuimaono-Sapolu's hearing will take place before a three-man disciplinary panel on Monday evening.

If found guilty the three-quarter could find his suspended ban brought into immediate effect as the IRB ruling on his criticism of Owens stated that if Fuimaono-Sapolu "makes any public criticism which results in a proven misconduct offence regarding a match official, the IRB or the disciplinary process - the suspension will be activated immediately".

An RFU statement read: "Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu of Gloucester Rugby has been charged with conduct prejudicial to the interests of the Game contrary to Rule 5.12 of the Rules of the Rugby Football Union.

"The charges against Fuimaono-Sapolu are that: On October 29 and 30, 2011 he made, or adopted from other users of Twitter, insulting or provocative comments about Owen Farrell, a professional rugby player, on his Twitter account.

"Between October 27 and 31, 2011 he made, or adopted from other users of Twitter, critical or sarcastic comments about the rugby disciplinary process on his Twitter account.

"Between October 25 and 27, 2011 he made, or adopted from other users of Twitter, critical comments about the Rugby World Cup and the International Rugby Board on his Twitter account. "