Howells: Romanians should not have Officiated Belgium vs Spain

The fallout from Belgium vs Spain continues. Now on record offering his opinion is Romania’s Head Coach for the World Cup qualifiers, Lynn Howells. The Welshman coached Romania from 2012-2018. Following the loss against Spain in Madrid last month he announced he would be standing down.

He leaves at a low point for Rugby Europe. The Belgium vs Spain RWC qualifier was a dark day for the sport. The appointment and performance of referee Vlad Iordachescu was highly controversial, leading to Spain requesting that the result be cancelled and the match be replayed.

Knowing what the match entailed Spain request to Rugby Europe one month earlier that the referees be altered. The request was denied by Rugby Europe, creating huge controversy for not only the organization itself but also World Rugby.

The act of not changing the match officials meant a simple resolution was missed and it turned into a scandal for both Rugby Europe and World Rugby. Adding to the controversy is the fact that the President of Rugby Europe is Octavian Morariu, a Romanian.

Since then it has emerged that Belgium used an ineligible player earlier in their match against Germany. This incident has seen the announcement from Rugby Europe and World Rugby over Belgium vs Spain being delayed until Thursday.

Meanwhile Romania has reached crisis point. Serious questions have been asked of Romanian player eligibility based on the use of Sione Faka’osilea. The native of Tonga played sevens for Tonga on the HSBC World Series, making his eligibility captured by Tonga.

With Faka’osilea having been heavily involved in Romania’s campaign there is serious doubt now over Romania playing in RWC 2019. A number of scenarios exist including a point deduction of expulsion from Japan 2019. The timing is not aided by World Rugby ending Tahiti’s RWC qualifying campaign.

Howells has commented on Belgium vs Spain, deeming that the Romanian should not have officiated the contest. He told the Mail on Sunday:

“The referee shouldn’t ever have been put in place for the end of the tournament. I know Vlad very well and I’d be surprised if he’d been swayed by anything. I hope for rugby’s sake that there has been no funny business and I’ve heard nothing to suggest there has been.”

While the rugby world awaits the decision from rugby authorities, there are some set to win or gain depending on the outcome. Canada are to play in the RWC 2019 Repechage tournament in November. The North Americans will be joined by three others, at present Spain is a realistic opponent.

If Romania’s qualification is overturned then Spain or Russia, depending on the World Rugby decision, would take the place of Romania. This being the case then Canada would have a simpler path to qualifying for the RWC in Japan.