Rugby World Cup organizers have issued misconduct charges against the Scottish Rugby Union over comments made about the potential cancellation of its last group-stage match against Japan last weekend, when the destructive Typhoon Hagibis left dozens of people dead.
There was wide speculation that Sunday's game would be canceled, and SRU chief executive Mark Dodson had threatened to sue organizers if it didn't go ahead at Yokohama.
Scotland needed to beat host Japan to have any hope of advancing to the knockout stages. The game went ahead as scheduled after organizers completed a safety assessment at the venue early Sunday, and Japan won 28-21 to continue its unbeaten run and top the group.
Japan's Kotaro Matsushima, center left, is tackled by Scotland's defense during the Rugby World Cup Pool A game at International Stadium between Japan and Scotland in Yokohama, Japan, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019. (AP PhotoEugene Hoshiko)
World Rugby tournament director Alan Gilpin told a news conference Tuesday that "comments and behaviors" of the Scottish Rugby Union had been referred to an independent disputes committee.
In a statement later Tuesday, Rugby World Cup confirmed the charges, saying it would make no further comment pending the outcome.
Under tournament rules, group matches cannot be postponed. In the case of canceled games, both teams are awarded two competition points and the score is registered as 0-0. Three games were cancelled, including the Pool B game between defending champion New Zealand and Italy, and the Pool C decider between England and France.
Scottish fans wait to enter the stadium ahead of the Rugby World Cup Pool A game at Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa between Scotland and Russia in Shizuoka, Japan, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2019. (AP PhotoChristophe Ena)
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