Scotland have responded to World Rugby’s statement yesterday with regards to the situation surrounding the build up to last Sunday’s Rugby World Cup game against Japan.
The game, which would decide the Scots future in this year’s competition, was set to be cancelled due to the arrival of Typhoon Hagibis, meaning Scotland would have automatically been knocked out of the tournament.
With growing fears over a cancelation Scottish Rugby chief executive Mark Dodson came out to say that should the fixture not be played the union may seek legal action against World Rugby.
However, while New Zealand’s clash with Italy, England’s game with France and Namibia’s showdown with Canada were all called off Scotland’s match managed to go ahead, although the hosts came out on top in a 28-21 thriller meaning Scotland were sent home.
Following the weekend’s events World Rugby announced yesterday that it had issued misconduct charges against the union.
“Issued misconduct charges against the Scottish Rugby Union in relation to recent comments made about Typhoon Hagibis and its potential impact on the Rugby World Cup 2019 Pool A match between Japan versus Scotland. The case will be decided by an Independent Disputes Committee and Rugby World Cup will not make any further comment on this matter pending the outcome,” the statement read.
The typhoon itself claimed the lives of 74 people with a further 12 missing showing how deadly it was and in response to World Rugby a Scottish Rugby spokesperson acknowledged the devastation but stated that they would fight their corner during proceedings.
“Scottish Rugby once again expresses its sincere condolences to the people of Japan and all those affected by Typhoon Hagibis which struck last weekend. We have been able to convey our best wishes directly to the Mayor of Yokohama and the chairman of the Japanese Rugby Union. We stand with the great people of Japan. Following receipt of correspondence yesterday from World Rugby, Scottish Rugby confirms that it has received a notice of complaint from Rugby World Cup Ltd. 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. No further comment would be appropriate at this time,” the spokesperson said.
We will have to wait and see what sort of punishment Scotland receive following the incident but from what has been heard and seen World Rugby are far from impressed and want to see the union punished, just how far they go is the question.
