A senior executive at the Fiji National Rugby League (FNRL) is under police investigation for alleged sexual harassment.
The allegations have surfaced just three weeks out from the Fiji Bati’s opening game against the Cook Islands at the 2026 Rugby League World Cup (RLWC).
FNRL life member and the founder of the code in Fiji, Culden Kamea, said a woman working at the FNRL office had made two allegations of sexual harassment.
He said the allegations were now being investigated by the Fiji Police Force.
In a lengthy statement, Kamea said the two incidents allegedly occurred at the FNRL head office during working hours on 27 August and 7 September.
A complaint was subsequently lodged with the FNRL board on 16 September, he said.
The complaint was also emailed to the executive chairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission and National Rugby League (NRL), Peter V’landys.
Kamea said the FNRL board received a strong email response from V’landys on 16 September, advising the board that the complaint must be shown “the appropriate level of care, seriousness, independence, diligence and transparency”.
The director was suspended on 17 September, pending the board’s investigation.
Kamea said the FNRL must stop its own investigation and hand the case to police to allow them to carry out their investigation into the allegations.
“I did not know the complainant but, on reading the detail of her 16 September complaint, I wrote to the FNRL Board that same night to recommend that they act with sensitivity and understanding, mindful of their statutory responsibilities to both parties,” he said.
“After sending that email, I spoke with the director. I understand the alleged victim has been suspended from work and her pay stopped.”
The director concerned said he would not comment at this stage and would allow the investigation to be conducted.
The off-field incident comes at a time when the FNRL is preparing the Fiji Bati and Fiji Bulikula for the RLWC, which starts on 15 October.
