USA 7s Coach Mike Friday has warned Daniel Leo not to use the sport as a political football by threatening to get it banned from the Olympic Games in his battle with World Rugby.
Friday is adamant the loss of Olympic status would have far-reaching financial effects on emerging countries and seriously hamper the growth of the sport which is using sevens to break into new markets, most notably in Asia.
Friday told RugbyPass that this is a pretty juvenile strong-arm tactic to throw out there given all the work that has been done to get sevens into the Olympics.
Friday says more importantly, sevens is the only authentic way they can make the sport global adding being out of the Games could have serious effects for those who come out of and we need to be careful using the sport as a political football.
He further says it would be unfair for USA, Canada and the non-traditional rugby nations which are the commercial markets that will assist the Pacific Islands in the development of their rugby.
Friday says there should be sensible conversations being held with World Rugby rather than airing their dirty washing in public.
He adds they have battled hard to get to this position and don’t need the ladder kicked away from us particularly at this very difficult time.
