Swire Shipping Fijian Drua rep Iosefo Masi has been stood down from participating in any further matches for the Drua after being charged with one count of assault, while Peni Matawalu is under investigation for alleged domestic violence against his spouse.
This has been confirmed by Fijian Drua General Manager Commercial Shane Hussein and Drua’s General Manager of Rugby Baden Stephenson today.
Hussein says with the Masi issue, they understand the matter is before the court and it would be improper for the club or anyone to offer comment at this stage.
He says they will leave the matter to the court so as not to prejudice the ongoing judicial process and that is essentially all they can say about Masi’s case.
Drua’s General Manager for Rugby Baden Stephenson says he can confirm that when they were made aware of a potential issue, they stood down Masi immediately and they will let that process take place.
While speaking about Matawalu’s alleged domestic violence case, Stephenson says based on the information available at the time, the club completed an internal process and placed sanctions on the player, in line with their standards.
Baden says the recommendations from the investigation panel have been sanctioned and it is a private matter between the players and the club.
When asked if the players will be let go by the club if found guilty of the charges, as has happened in the past, Hussein says the question relates to a potential outcome, and out of fairness to all parties involved—not just the player himself—they do not want to prejudice the ongoing investigation.
Stephenson further says they have been in regular contact with the two players and when Masi attended court on Saturday, most of his peers and colleagues were there to support him at his home and even at the police station.
Stephenson adds they care a lot about Masi and Matawalu as they have been great players and people for the club.
He says the club and the two players need all the support they can get from the fans as they are in a difficult situation at the moment.
He adds the club understands and has empathy, and they have had regular communications and offered psychological support for anyone involved in the potential incidents, both the players and their spouses.
Meanwhile, the Drua take in Moana Pasifika on Saturday at 4.35pm.
