9.00am, Thursday 23 January 2003
The Spanish Rugby Union requested an investigation into the eligibility of three South African born players who had been representing Russia through the qualification process. The Rugby Union of Russia (RUR) was then asked by the independent Judicial Officer, Tim Gresson of New Zealand, to "provide indisputable evidence to support its claim that, in the case of all three players - Johan Hendricks, Reiner Volschenk and Werner Pieterse - a grandparent had been of Russian nationality".
While copies of documents the RUR had used to deem the players eligible were supplied, Mr Gresson was not satisfied the information could be relied on. In turn he granted the RUR and the three players in question more time to produce satisfactory documentation which they were unable to do. With no further explanation forthcoming from the RUR, Mr Gresson reported to the IRB that the players in question were ineligible to play for Russia.
Mr Gresson ordered Russia be expelled from the qualifying stage of the tournament and that the mandatory fine of £25,000 per player be imposed on Russia.
"This is a serious and saddening development, especially in the run-up to Rugby World Cup 2003," said Dr Syd Millar, acting chairman of the IRB and chairman of Rugby World Cup. "Unions have to go that extra mile to satisfy themselves beyond any doubt whatsoever that players are indeed eligible to play under the national flag.
"It is a matter of the greatest regret that Russia, a fine Union with great promise, should lose the chance of qualifying for the Finals in this way. This should be a lesson for others."
As a result, Spain has been allowed to take Russia's place in the tournament after previously losing their repechage qualifying series in October-November 2002. Russia was due to play Tunisia this weekend (25 January 2003) in the repechage stage of qualifying, a match which has duely been cancelled.
The RUR has two weeks to appeal the decision.
Seams Rugby has the Grand parent rule to??
