RFL CEO Ralph Rimmer, who is leaving his role at the end of the year, has been investigated after complaints were made about remarks he made about the Fiji national team at the Championship and Championship dinners and League One on September 26.
Last updated: 07/10/22 6:32 pm
Ralph Rimmer has been investigated for comments made at a recent awards dinner
RFL CEO Ralph Rimmer has avoided any sanctions for using “unacceptable” language at an official function.
The regulator has launched an investigation into Rimmer’s actions after receiving complaints about comments he made about the Fiji national team at the Championship and League One awards dinners on September 26. .
The RFL said it has followed the procedures under the Directors’ Code of Conduct, led by RFL president Simon Johnson, who submitted a 21-page report to the RFL Board and to Rimmer, who announced on Wednesday. last month intends to give up his role at the end of the year.
It said procedures involved gathering information from three independent experts, in addition to several dinner attendees, and a statement from Rimmer, who apologized for his comments.
Views from the Fiji Rugby Union and their World Cup travel party were also sought.
“The report concludes that language that falls within the broad definition of an unacceptable language as defined in the RFL Code of Conduct and could therefore be considered a violation of the Code of Conduct,” a statement said. said by the governing body.
“It does note, however, that the comment was made in the context of broader discussion of the World Cup; that any offense against the Fiji national team or those from Fiji are either of origin or descent. Fiji property were all unintended; and the Fiji national team, League and Federation have accepted Ralph Rimmer’s apology for the comments.
“Note the agreement of all respondents that there was no intent to use unacceptable language; that a full apology was made and accepted; and took into account relevant and applicable precedent, from previous RFL and other sports compliance investigations, the chair’s decision that no formal disciplinary action was appropriate.
“The issue will be addressed through education, which will be conducted for three months prior to Ralph Rimmer’s previously announced departure from the RFL later this year.”
The statement came two hours before Fiji will meet England in the World Cup Rugby League warm-up match at Salford’s AJ Bell Stadium.
