A SPOKESMAN for the Scottish Rugby Union has indicated that the organisation will fight any disciplinary action resulting from the notice of complaint which has been submitted to World Rugby’s disputes committee by Rugby World Cup Limited.
The complaint relates to SRU chief executive Mark Dodson’s vocal opposition to a proposal to cancel the national team’s final pool match against Japan last Sunday if Typhoon Hagibis rendered the International Stadium Yokohama unplayable – which would effectively have knocked Scotland out of the tournament on a technicality.
Having failed to convince tournament organisers to consider a compromise solution after they revealed their plan last Thursday, Dodson publicly urged World Rugby to rethink their stance in a radio interview and at a press briefing on Friday.
READ MORE: Scotland could face punishment over comments ahead of Japan match
This prompted a rebuke from World Rugby, who issued a statement in which they described Dodson’s comments as “disappointing”.
In the end, the worst of the storm missed Yokohama and Japan ran out worthy winners. But Rugby World Cup Limited have determined that they want have the last word in this sorry affair. It has been reported that the charge will be misconduct through bringing the game into disrepute and that the committee will be set up “as soon as possible”. A reprimand or a fine appears to be the most likely outcome.
“Following receipt of correspondence yesterday from World Rugby, Scottish Rugby confirms that it has received a notice of complaint from Rugby World Cup Ltd,” said the SRU spokesman. “Scottish Rugby is querying whether the matter is an appropriate one for the bringing of misconduct charges.
“If misconduct proceedings are to proceed, Scottish Rugby looks forward to receiving a fair hearing in this matter.”
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