Just four days into her new role as Fiji Rugby Union's director of rugby, Laijipa Naulivou, has been sacked for saying the women's team had a "gay problem".
Naulivou was appointed to the top position last Saturday but fell on her own sword when she said "lesbianism" had caused problems between teammates in the women's team and it led to the side's poor performance at last year's Paris Olympics.
Fiji was knocked out in the group stage, coming last after winning bronze at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
Speaking to the Fiji Sun after the FRU announced her appointment, Naulivou said she had previously asked for the women's coach to be removed from her role and a panel set up to select the coach.
Laijipa Naulivou. Fiji Rugby
"A person who practices lesbianism being up there and choosing her people. To me that is unethical and it's not right," she told the publication.
She also claimed that same-sex player relationships was "one big drawback" when the Fiji women's team participated in a previous sevens tournament and claimed "this gay problem" was affecting player retention across other European nations.
By Wednesday the FRU announced Naulivou's contract had been terminated with immediate effect.
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"Our women's team and all players can rest assured that this will in no way impact their opportunities, representation and continued development as integral members of Fiji Rugby," said the FRU.
"[The] FRU remains steadfast in ensuring a supportive, inclusive and empowering environment for all the Fiji Rugby Vuvale [family], regardless of gender, background or identity."
Ana Maria Naimasi #6 of Team Fiji passes the ball to Kolora Lomani #8 of Team Fiji as she is tackled by Maria Tshiremba #7 and Nadine Roos #9 of Team South Africa during the Women's Rugby Sevens Placing 11-2 match between Team South Africa and Team Fijion day four of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on July 30, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)Â Getty
Naulivou's remarks were also denounced by Fiji Women's Rights Movement, who said it was "appalled" by the comments.
"The notion that being gay is a 'problem' in women's rugby is deeply troubling and perpetuates harmful stereotypes that have no place in modern sports or society," said Nalini Singh, the group's executive director.
"Rather than focusing your efforts on the sexuality of the players, you do your job and look for adequate funding and provide for the well-being of the women rugby players so that they don't have to sleep on benches in front of airports and walk miles to their training," she added.
Local media reports in 2023 claimed the women's team spent a night on benches outside Sydney Airport on their way to the Dubai Sevens tournament, while the men's team slept in a nearby hotel.
