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Fuimaono-Sapolu to face IRB

London - Samoan centre Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu was ordered to appear before an RFU disicplinary panel on Friday after being hit with three charges of "conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game."

The outspoken Gloucester star will appear before officials on Monday to explain a series of remarks made on social networking site Twitter this week.

It comes after the 31-year-old international was handed a six-month suspended ban by the International Rugby Board during the World Cup for accusing Welsh referee Nigel Owens of bias.

In the latest incident, Fuimaono-Sapolu is accused of making derogatory remarks on Twitter about Saracens centre Owen Farrell, while criticising rugby's disciplinary process, the World Cup and IRB.

If found guilty, it could lead to the IRB activating the centre's six-month suspended ban.

"Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu of Gloucester Rugby has been charged with conduct prejudicial to the interests of the Game contrary to Rule 5.12 of the Rules of the Rugby Football Union," an RFU statement said.

"The charges against Fuimaono-Sapolu are that: On October 29 and 30, 2011 he made, or adopted from other users of Twitter, insulting or provocative comments about Owen Farrell, a professional rugby player, on his Twitter account.

"Between October 27 and 31, 2011 he made, or adopted from other users of Twitter, critical or sarcastic comments about the rugby disciplinary process on his Twitter account.

"Between October 25 and 27, 2011 he made, or adopted from other users of Twitter, critical comments about the Rugby World Cup and the International Rugby Board on his Twitter account."

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