Rugby World Cup 2019 picture takes another turn as Romania and Belgium accused of fielding ineligible players

Russia and Germany have asked for clarification on players used by Romania and Belgium, with potential disqualification from the Rugby Europe Championship on the cards

World Rugby are looking into the process of appointing Romanian referee Vlad Iordachescu for Spain's match (Getty)

Rugby Europe have delayed their decision on the controversy surrounding the game between Belgium and Spain that lead to Romania qualifying for the 2019 Rugby World Cup after new allegations, which also involve Germany and Russia, emerged over ineligible players.

Belgium’s 18-10 defeat of Spain on Sunday 18 March lead to outrage from both the Spanish players and rugby union after Vlad Iordachescu, a Romanian referee, was allowed to take charge of the match when it had a direct influence on his homeland’s chances of qualifying for Japan 2019.

Iordachescu has faced widespread criticism for his performance and was last week removed from this weekend’s European Challenge Cup quarter-final between Pau and Stade Francais due to safety concerns, given Pau’s close proximity to the Spanish border. A number of Spanish players also tried to confront Iordachescu immediately after the full-time whistle and chased him from the field of play in scenes that have been widely condemned.

Rugby Europe issued a statement on Monday night to confirm that they have delayed making a decision on the matter until at least Thursday, when their next meeting will take place, after seeking more information on the matter.

“Rugby Europe Board of Directors held a conference call this evening to share and discuss the elements related to the Spain- Belgium game, Rugby World Cup 2019 Qualifier,” Rugby Europe said in a statement.

“Rugby Europe General Secretary recalled the facts and submitted the reports of the different people and groups who have been consulted.

“Board members unanimously requested additional information (in particular those provided straight ahead of the meeting to World Rugby) before taking an accurate decision.”

World Rugby are also awaiting the results of that investigation, with the manner of the referee appointment, the performance of Iordachescu and the Spanish team’s reaction all likely to be reviewed.

But the situation has been muddied by World Rugby’s decision to disqualify Tahiti from World Cup qualifying for fielding an ineligible player. Having announced the sanction last week, both Romania and Belgium have now been accused of fielding ineligible players during the Rugby Europe Championship in claims that could see them subsequently axed from the qualification process.

The Russian Rugby Federation [FRR] has requested a formal investigation into whether Romania fielded an ineligible player against Russia in March 2017. Having qualified for Romania on residential grounds, Sione Faka’osilea made his debut in the Rugby Europe Championship encounter, but it’s been claimed that he is bound to the Tonga Rugby Union due to his appearances at the Gold Coast leg of the 2012/13 Sevens circuit, which under World Rugby Regulation 8 would prevent him from playing for another nation in any format.

“We consider it absolutely unacceptable to blame anyone before a thorough investigation by the competent authorities of Rugby Europe and World Rugby, therefore we will send relevant inquiries to these organisations,” the FRR said in a statement, having lodged an enquiry with the relevant governing bodies about Faka’osilea’s eligibility. The centre has since made 12 more appearances for the national team.

Should World Rugby or Rugby Europe take action against Romania that results in them being disqualified from the Rugby Europe Championship, they will forfeit their place at the 2019 Rugby World Cup and Spain, who finished third, will be promoted to the automatic qualifying position.

On top of that, the Germany head coach Pablo Lemoine has claimed that Belgium selected Victor Paquet while he was ineligible for the country. Lemoine appeared in the Rugby Europe Championship match between the two sides earlier this year, coming off the replacements’ bench, and he was withdrawn from Belgium’s victory over Spain shortly before the match, having been initially named in the side.

If Belgium are found to have broken any eligibility regulations, they too could face elimination from the tournament and subsequently have their results ruled void or overturned, which would give Spain the victory it needs to overtake Romania as tournament runners-up and qualify for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

The situation should become clearer later this week following the next Rugby Europe meeting on Thursday.