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ASRU issues sanctions, penalties to players & clubs

The American Samoa Rugby Union has sanctioned Fagatogo and Mapusaga Fou rugby clubs for a scuffle between players and also handed down penalties against two players from the Fagatogo rugby club accused of assaulting a Mapusaga Fou rugby player. Both incidents happened during last month’s Moso'oi Festival Sevens Rugby Tournament.

 

Last Tuesday, the ASRU board of directors met to discuss what actions to impose on the two rugby clubs as well as the two Fagatogo players, charged with assault.  ASRU board vice chairman Aumoeualogo Te’o J. Fuavai oversaw the meeting.

 

The ASRU decision was for the Fagatogo club to pay $1,000 and be placed on probation for one year, at which time they are not to commit any other incidents during ASRU rugby tournaments, according to information received by Samoa News.

 

For the two Fagatogo players accused of assaulting an opposing team’s player, each is fined $100 and prohibited from participating in any ASRU tournaments until their cases before the court are resolved.

 

Talofa Faimoa and Fatutoa Levi have each been charged with second-degree assault, a felony, and misdemeanor public peace disturbance. Levi’s case is now in the High Court, where he entered a 'not guilty' plea last Thursday. His pretrial conference is set for Dec. 12.

 

Faimoa’s case was bound over to the High Court last Friday where he will be arraigned today.

 

The ASRU also handed down sanctions against the Mapusaga Fou rugby team, whose players got into a scuffle with Fagatogo players during the Moso'oi tournament. Mapusaga Fou was fined $500 and placed on six months probation with the condition that no similar action is to be committed during the probationary period at ASRU tournaments.

 

A Mapusaga Fou player who was “yellow carded” over the way to catch the ball during the rugby match was fined $100.

 

Samoa News understands that the reason Mapusaga Fou’s fine was lower than Fagatogo's was because this is Mapusaga Fou's first violation of rugby rules. Samoa News further understands that it has been recommended the teams pay the fines or they will not be able to participate in the Paramount Sevens Rugby Tournament set for Dec. 6-7.

 

Original Samoan story on the ASRU decision was published in Saturday’s edition of the To’asavili.