The Panel found that Fuimaono-Sapolu made or adopted from other users of Twitter, critical or sarcastic comments about the rugby disciplinary process and made, or adopted from other users of Twitter, critical comments about the Rugby World Cup and the International Rugby Board on his Twitter account.

The Panel dismissed the charge of making or adopting from other users of Twitter, insulting or provocative comments about Owen Farrell, a professional rugby player, on his Twitter account.

Panel chair Daniel White said: “The Twitter forum is not one for ‘banter’ and is not the equivalent of a clubhouse discussion – it is in fact a public forum, and for that reason players should be guarded in what is said and therefore endorsed. We note that over 13,000 people are registered to follow Mr Fuimaono-Sapolu on Twitter. It should be noted that young people, those learning the sport and the public at large look to people in his position and for these reasons we have imposed a sentence designed to deter others who may be tempted to act in this way.” 

This finding does not necessarily trigger the suspended sentence imposed on October 15 by the International Rugby Board for breaches of the Rugby World Cup 2011/International Rugby Board Code of Conduct.

The Panel is keen to stress that this decision stands alone and that it is a matter for the IRB to determine whether the actions of Fuimaono-Sapolu constituted a breach of the conditions of that sanction.

The suspension by a Rugby Football Union disciplinary panel on March 9, 2011 runs from January 28, 2011 (provisional suspension date) to May 26, 2011 and includes coaching, officiating, selection, team management, administration or promotion of the Game, playing, training as part of a team or squad, or involvement in the Game in any other capacity in any Union in membership of the International Rugby Board. He can resume these activities on May 27, 2011.

Wihongi tested positive for methylhexaneamine following the Aviva Premiership Rugby match against Newcastle Falcons at Kingston Park on January 7, 2011.

The player was tested after the away game versus Newcastle Falcons on 7th January by UK Anti-Doping. The sample returned an adverse analytical finding for the stimulant methylhexaneamine. The player was then provisionally suspended from playing and training by the RFU on Friday 28th January.

The player appeared before an RFU Discipline Panel on Wednesday 9th March. The decision of the Panel was that the player be suspended for a period of 4 months. Taking into account his present suspension imposed since the violation was first notified on the 28th January 2011, he is able to play again on the 27th May 2011.

The player and the Club made representation to the Panel that the stimulant entered the player’s system without his knowledge and without any pre-meditated plan to gain an advantage. It was demonstrated to the Panel that the stimulant became present via a contaminated product that was available through the Club’s supplements programme. When the product in question was supplied to the Club it was issued with a batch test certificate that showed no traces of any banned substance. The ingredients of the product had previously been checked and all had been cleared.

Sale Sharks would like to place on record our full support for the UK Anti-Doping Testing Programme. There is no place in sport for drug cheats and the penalties enforced for those that attempt to gain an advantage by using banned substances are correct and appropriate. However the Club are frustrated and disappointed with the above verdict given to a player who without his knowledge took a product that was wrongly contaminated.

Whilst the player and the Club have the Right to Appeal the verdict they will not be doing so. Karena Wihongi retains the full support of the Club and we look forward to his return to playing.

Seven other unions have expressed interest to the IRB and now work will begin in detail to determine whether Scottish Rugby can proceed to the formal bid stage.

Scottish Rugby’s Chief Executive Gordon McKie said: “Rugby sevens are very much regarded as the flagship for the global development of our sport – and that gives great pride to us in Scotland given that we gave the game to the world.

“Scottish Rugby hosted the inaugural Rugby World Cup 7s in 1993 and, of course, 7s will ensure rugby returns to the Olympic family in time for the summer games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

“We are also very proud that 7s will be one of major sports at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

“But what will be crucial in our deliberations on whether we submit a formal bid for the 2013 RWC 7s will be that such a bid must sit alongside our strategic objectives.

“We cannot advance a bid if it were to compromise the overall financial stability of the game in Scotland and hosting such a tournament would be about much more than the event itself.

It would be vitally important that the legacy from a 2013 RWC 7s included greater access to quality facilities for the youth of our country and a consequent increase in participation in rugby.

“As part of the exposure for the event we would need to attract a host broadcaster on appropriate commercial terms and as most sports in Scotland will relate that is particularly challenging.

“That said, we look forward to working in partnership with government, both at national and local level and with Scottish broadcasters, as we examine the bid documents.”

All unions who have expressed an interest have until mid December to decide whether to submit a tender. The deadline for tender submissions is mid-February 2010 with the IRB Council selecting the host union for the 2013 RWC 7s in May 2010.