The Fiji Rugby Union are yet to pay new head coach Ben Ryan any of his salary since he took over the national side this season.
Ryan was appointed in September having previously spent six years with England. In an interview with Fiji’s One News earlier this week, Ryan revealed that he had not been paid “a penny” of his salary since becoming Fiji’s head coach and was living off his savings, which included the cost of travelling from Fiji back to the UK.
However FRU acting chief executive Berlin Kafoa has stated that Ryan previously agreed to volunteer for the first few months given the poor financial state of the Union. Kafoa also added that funding for Ryan’s salary had yet to be secured for next season. ”Ryan volunteered for three months after being appointed as national Sevens coach due to the financial situation of the FRU,” said Kafoa said in a statement.
“The FRU has applied to the Fiji Sports Commission for a grant based on the 2014 budget allocation which will be used for Ryan’s salary. ”We are still waiting for the Fiji Sports Commission to respond to our application. ”We as a nation should applaud a foreign individual who is willing to make personal sacrifices for the love of rugby in Fiji.”
Fiji won the Dubai Sevens title under Ryan’s tutelage earlier this season.