# Skipper Cup Revenue Dispute: Malolo rugby Union Calls for Transparency
A growing controversy surrounds the handling of gate revenue from the 2025 Skipper Cup rugby competition in Fiji, as the reigning champion malolo Rugby Union publicly questions the financial accounting of this year’s quarterfinals, semifinals, and grand final. The union is demanding greater transparency from both the fiji Sports Council and the Fiji Rugby Union regarding discrepancies in reported earnings.
The dispute centers on significant differences between the Malolo Rugby Union’s estimates of attendance and the financial figures released by the Fiji Sports Council. According to a statement released by the union, the reported takings do not align with the number of spectators present at the matches.
Skipper Cup Final revenue Discrepancy
The most glaring inconsistency concerns the Skipper Cup final, where the Fiji Sports Council reported an attendance of approximately 11,000 fans, with tickets priced at 20 Fijian dollars each. Based on these figures, the Malolo Rugby Union contends that total revenue should have reached around 220,000 dollars. However, the Fiji Sports Council declared total takings of just over 59,000 dollars – a shortfall of over 160,000 dollars.
“We received no breakdown of ticket categories, sales, or deductions,” a senior official stated, highlighting the lack of detailed financial details provided by the Fiji Sports Council.
Concerns Extend to Semifinals and Deductions
The concerns are not limited to the final match. The Malolo rugby Union also points to inconsistencies in the reported revenue from the semifinals, where they estimate over 9,000 spectators attended, yet the Fiji Sports Council reported takings of just over 56,000 dollars. This raises questions about how revenue was calculated and distributed.
Further fueling the controversy are deductions made from the earnings of participating teams. The union specifically cited the case of Naitasiri Seniors, which received 4,612.60 dollars but had 1,383.78 dollars withheld and redirected to the Naitasiri under 20 team. The rationale behind this redirection remains unclear, prompting the Malolo Rugby Union to question the fairness and transparency of the deduction process.
Impact on Player Support and Governance
The Malolo Rugby Union argues that these financial discrepancies ultimately impact the support provided to players at the domestic elite level.The union emphasized the need for improved governance, accountability, and administrative standards within the sport.
Adding to the concerns, the union reported that its 20,000 dollar prize money was reduced to just over 16,000 dollars due to unspecified “compliance fines.” While the union accepted these deductions, they noted the team is still in a rebuilding phase and did not anticipate winning the title this year.
Moreover, the team allegedly received only 120 dollars for meal allowances following the grand final, paid via M PAiSA with instructions to purchase one kilogram of kava. This claim has not been independently verified.
A photograph circulating online, reportedly taken by a Vatukoula official, purportedly shows cash handling practices inside a ticket booth, which the Malolo Rugby Union believes further underscores its concerns about match day operations. FBC Sports has not independently verified the authenticity of the image.
