12 Dec 2014

Fiji AG accused of misleading parliament

2:51 pm on 12 December 2014

A member of Fiji's opposition has accused the Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, of misleading parliament over his statements regarding World Rugby consenting to games being shared across broadcasters in the country.

Finance Minister, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, announces Fiji's 2014-15 budget

Finance Minister, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, announces Fiji's 2014-15 budget Photo: Supplied

World Rugby, the sport's governing body, pulled the plug on broadcast coverage of last weekend's Dubai Sevens after discovering the government had imposed a decree requiring matches to be shared across all television channels.

Fiji Live reports that in parliament today, Tupou Draunidalo said Mr Sayed-Khaiyum may have misled the house over his statements that World Rugby consented to sharing of content for the Gold Coast Sevens.

Ms Draunidalo referred to correspondence between World Rugby and the government over the decree and the Dubai Sevens feed.

Rugby ball

Rugby ball Photo: PHOTOSPORT

She said World Rugby's response revealed that it never consented to sharing.

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum denied he had misled the house, saying he has copies of correspondence to prove it.

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