Sacramento forfeits runners-up status at national 7s tournament

Article originally published at ESPN

Colorado Springs, Colo. - Nov. 21, 2000 - After learning three players from the Sacramento Rugby Football Club were using false green cards, the disciplinary committee of USA Rugby has decided to strip the team of its second place title at the 2000 National Club 7s Championships, Conshohocken, Pa.

"We had no choice but to take away the teams runner-up status," USA Rugby Disciplinary Committee Chairman, John 
Gronlund, said. "USA Rugby operates under strict guidelines that must be followed. It would be unfair to those who play and respect the sport to let this incident go unnoticed."

The three team members, Alipate Tuilevuka, Fiji; Livai Volavola, Fiji; and Edward Matakibau, Fiji, will not be able to participate in USA Rugby sanctioned events for a period of one year. They will be able to reapply for membership in the 2002 season, provided they are compliant. The Sacramento Rugby Football Club will receive a warning.

"USA Rugby will continue to investigate any suspicious green cards, including checking with the INS," Program Manager, Clint Henderson said.

Due to this forfeiture, all teams at the National Club 7s will advance one place standing, with the exception of Old Mission Beach Athletic Club, (OMBAC) San Diego, Cal., who took first place.