The RFL CEO Ralph Rimmer is facing calls to quit over controversial comments on Fiji national team. The Rugby Football League confirmed that it had received a complaint about the incendiary comments made by Ralph toward the Fiji national team, and it is following procedure.
At the end of the year, Ralph will leave his role at the governing body, but after his offensive remark against Fiji, he is facing calls to go immediately. Ralph made the offensive remark against Fiji at the RFL’s annual awards night at Headingley last Monday.
Rimmer said, Fiji has already arrived, and we do not think anybody has been arrested yet, do we? No, we are all right, so we are going pretty well then.
After these comments, Rimmer apologized unreservedly and denied his words had racial connotations, but the RFL has confirmed it is following due process before a potential investigation into its CEO.
The RFL said a complaint had been received, the RFL board has procedures in place as to how to respond, and the chairman Simon Johnson is following those procedures. Per those procedures, no other comment can be made, they added.
Last month, Rimmer announced he would leave the role of CEO, and his annual salary is around £167,000. Now, Rimmer is being urged to resign sooner, and with his comments attracting criticism from outside rugby league.
Troy Townsend said on Twitter when you believe you are untouchable, you can say what and when you want, how you want, and I always wonder what is said behind the scenes and if someone is brazen enough to talk in this way publicly.
Rimmer responded and said I apologize unreservedly for a throwaway remark which I regretted as soon as I made it, and there was no intention to malign the Fiji squad.
