Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu (File)

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Dublin - Samoa centre Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu could be banned from rugby after losing an appeal on Saturday against a six-month suspended sentence imposed for an angry Twitter rant during the World Cup.

The 31-year-old Gloucester player had been punished by the International Rugby Board for accusing Welsh referee Nigel Owens of bias and racism after Samoa's 13-5 loss to South Africa on September 30.

He was also ordered to offer a full apology to Owens and perform a minimum of 100 hours' rugby community work in Samoa within the next 12 months.

Fuimaono-Sapolu's ban could now become active after he was found guilty of misconduct by England's Rugby Football Union earlier this month for a Twitter outburst against Saracens' Owen Farrell.

An IRB statement said it noted the misconduct decision of the RFU and would give it "consideration" in light of the appeal committee's findings.