FIJI – The opposition Sodelpa Party President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, has called on the Fiji Rugby Union to be fair and to sort out the contracts for the Fiji Sevens team.

Ratu Naiqama’s comments come after an online spat erupted between the former coach of the side, Ben Ryan, and the FRU over player payments.

Ben Ryan, who led Fiji to two World Series titles and a first ever Olympic Gold, initiated the exchange by pleading with the union to give contracts to the players involved in the opening two rounds of the season.

The FRU responded with a statement saying it seemed difficult for Ryan to move on and they were disappointed in his constant comments.

Ratu Naiqama said the victorious players, coach and management deserve every accolade and encouragement after their historic feat at the Rio Olympics.

He said the union should not shoot the messenger as under Ryan’s visionary and tactical leadership, the team became unequalled ambassadors for Fiji and an example of the benefits of sacrifice, determination, perseverance and hardwork.

Sodelpa recommended that all sevens players be on contracts of F$30,000 per year.

The FRU said although the players’ employment contracts expired after the Olympics, they have still been paid “relevant allowances” while in camp during the Dubai and Cape Town sevens.

The Fiji Rugby Union continues to hit back at ongoing comments made by the former sevens coach.

In a written statement the union said it was disappointed at Ben Ryan’s constant remarks about the Fiji Sevens team and his ongoing tweets about their performance.

CEO John O’connor said it seems difficult for Ryan to move on.

The statement goes on to say the FRU has appointed a new coach, who will lead the men’s sevens team moving forward – and everyone needs to give Gareth Baber a chance – including Ben Ryan.

Baber, a former Wales player and Hong Kong coach, was appointed in October but won’t officially take his position until the end of January.

The union said it is no longer Ryan’s team and he must understand this and must allow the new coach to deal with the issues in relation to his team.

The tweet posted this week by Ryan asking the union to please start paying the “amazing men” who make up the sevens team, appears to have triggered the statement.

After seeing the FRU statement Ryan again tweeted, calling it “ridiculously childish”.

Ryan said he has only said positive things about everyone and one tweet that tells the truth appears to have hit a nerve.

Fiji, the defending world series champions, have finished second and fifth in the first two tournaments of this season’s series in Dubai and South Africa.

- PNC sources