Former cricket supremo Ali Bacher confirmed on Monday that beleaguered rugby boss Brian van Rooyen has asked him to ”facilitate” an exit from the South African Rugby Union (Saru) for him.
Bacher, who joined the Saru board last year, said he met Van Rooyen last week to discuss the latter’s exit from rugby.
”I don’t want to say anything further. All I can say is that at Mr Van Rooyen’s request, I met with him in Sandton on Thursday. He [Van Rooyen] asked me for reasons to facilitate an exit from rugby and I agreed,” was all Bacher was willing to say.
The Star reported on Monday that Van Rooyen asked Bacher to discuss the proposal with Saru’s provincial presidents, which he apparently did by telephone.
Bacher represents the game’s sponsors on the Saru board.
Van Rooyen was not available for comment on Sunday, the paper said, but reports suggested the rugby boss was angry, and had changed his mind about the deal that had been struck after Bacher had spoken to the provincial presidents.
Late last week, Van Rooyen also issued an urgent statement denying rumours that he was about to stand down and that he welcomed an investigation so he could clear his name.
Van Rooyen shortly has to answer an inquiry, to be chaired by retired judge Joos Hefer, on 11 charges of mismanagement. The charges follow an unfavourable report on Saru’s affairs last year.
Brandon Foot, a sport-law expert with a Pretoria firm of attorneys, said Van Rooyen could possibly sidestep the inquiry if he resigns or does not stand for re-election for the presidency at the end of February.
”Mr Van Rooyen could possibly argue that SA Rugby has no jurisdiction over him if he resigns or does not stand for re-election,” Foot said on Monday.
However, Van Rooyen could face legal action from Saru if Hefer’s inquiry into ”poor corporate governance” does happen as scheduled and irregularities of any kind are found relating to Van Rooyen.
”Inquiries are fact-finding by their nature. Litigation, though, can possibly flow from such investigations if SA Rugby want to go that route,” said Foot.
Saru’s annual general meeting is scheduled for February 23. It is not certain when the Hefer hearings will begin. — Sapa