Sabotage : Serevi denies involvement

Fiji Times - Saturday, April 05, 2008 7:56 AM

SEVEN wizard Waisale Serevi has strongly denied any part in claims he sabotaged the national side's efforts during the Hong Kong tournament last weekend.

His reacted after reports surfaced yesterday that he had influenced some players in the Digicel-sponsored Fiji side. The incident affected the way these players performed at Happy Valley Stadium.

It is alleged that a former player who was present in Hong Kong lured a few key players to his room and they held a closed door meeting.

There were reports from some players who claimed to have witnessed the actions of their team mates.

At their hotel the Fiji team management speculated the influence of the 7s maestro attributed to the way certain players performed at the tournament and in particular during the 34-0 drunning to New Zealand in the semi-final.

Serevi said he always had Fiji at heart and was surprised at the kind of comments/allegations made being made.

"I don't have anything against Savou, the team or players," Serevi said.

"I don't have a bad heart and besides, what would I get out of it.

"The management should first just come clean with their players."

Serevi admitted he had met the players at the hotel because all teams were staying there for the duration of the tournament.

"At no time did I ever sabotage or influence any player," he said.

He said skipper Marika Vunibaka had met him. The Fiji captain had to deliver items sent by his family.

"Marika and I don't have a bad relationship and in good sportsmanship I wished him well before the tournament," Serevi said. "He brought in a bag from my wife."

Fiji coach Josateki Savou didn't want to elaborate further on the matter adding they would forward their findings to the FRU board and its members, some of whom are in Adelaide.

He said while speculations were rife he could not point fingers at anyone including Serevi until there was proof.

"I can't say or name anyone because I didn't see it happening," Savou said.

FRU will come down hard on any player found guilty of being involved in unwarranted activities while on tour of duty.

FRU chief executive Ratu Timoci Tavanavanua said while they hadn't received any official report from the management, appropriate actions will be taken if necessary.

"As it stands we haven't received anything but there are some board members in Adelaide who will meet the team this weekend," Tavanavanua said.

"When the team returns we will hold meetings with the management and then go further if there is any element of proof."

He said while they didn't want to make any excuses for the loss, it was a serious matter if there was any truth in these allegations.