THOMPSON. chairman of local Rugby Union

The Jamaica Rugby Union (JRU) is dispelling reports of a "new executive", after the Union held its Annual General Meeting (AGM), Monday night.

At the meeting at the Mayfair Hotel, international rugby referee, Aaron Christie, and Richard Nolan, a national coach, sought to unseat the incumbent administration currently led by Chairman, Sgt Jacob Thompson.

From the floor things boiled over into a stormy affair when Nolan and Christie announced that they would be challenging for the posts of chairman and treasurer, respectively.

But their attempt was thwarted by the majority of the executive because the move was seen as unconstitutional after it was discovered that the two did not submit their application to run within the prescribed "30 days" prior to an AGM.

Citing a breach of the constitution, Thompson and his team decided on "damage control" to restore calm among its members, who later received a press release that a "new slate" had taken over the reins at the Red Hills Road-based headquarters.

"Mr Jacob Thompson had actually withdrew from the election when he noticed some irregularities that was taking place at the AGM at the Mayfair Hotel; this was also pointed out by Mr Lori Roach, Secretary of JRU," stated a release from Thompson's team.

"Based on numerous meetings and teleconferences with key persons within the Union, persons involved in the national programme, the executive members, Mr Jacob Thompson, Patrick Alexander and Lori Roach, a decision has arrived that Mr Richard Nolan will not be supported as Chairman of the Jamaica Rugby Union and the executive will not be changed to the names given yesterday until the Union constitution is reviewed," the release further stated.

For the JRU, it is a battle that they have won in preventing an overthrow that had the potential to turn into a massive scrum that could turn ugly.

"It is an unfortunate incident. but it has more to do with persons who are just hungry for power, even if they have to try to destroy the reputation of the Union," Rohan Stewart, public relations officer of the JRU, told the Observer.

The Union was scheduled to host a closed door meeting yesterday, with the objective of restoring some semblance of order on the way forward. Several key members were expected to attend.

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