Playing is out of the question for Keresi Maya- FNRL

The Fiji National Rugby League has not considered letting Keresi Maya play in the FNRL Competition.

FNRL Acting CEO Don Natabe says playing is out of the question for Maya as they have not considered this.

Natabe says they had a discussion last week and they have supported the club in their request to rehabilitate and support Maya.

He adds that players need to note that switching codes from rugby union to league is not an easy task if they are banned from one sport.

The Acting CEO says both rugby codes respect the sanctions placed on a player and they are considering to have a Memorandum of Understanding with the Fiji Rugby Union.

He says this is to send out a clear message to all players that the FNRL will not condone any form of violence in the sport.

Meanwhile, the Fiji Rugby Union has accepted the 6-year ban of the Naitasiri Under-19 rugby player. FRU CEO, John O’Connor says they had taken advice and also had discussions with World Rugby and the ban for Maya will be in Fiji and globally.

Maya had punched the referee while playing for the Naitasiri Under-19 team against Tailevu.

FRU and the Fiji Rugby Referees Association had made submissions for a life ban on the player since it was a cowardly act which resulted in the match official sustaining injuries and a broken nose.

FRU had earlier indicated that they were planning to appeal the 6-year ban.