Sharks boss don't buy URC explanation

REACTION: Sharks boss Marco Masotti has blasted United Rugby Championship officials on Twitter before quickly deleting the post, following the cancellations of two Round Six games at the weekend.

Glasgow and Ulster were both forced to postpone their URC games in South Africa this weekend because of the outbreak of “gastroenteritis infections”.

The Warriors were due to face Lions in Johannesburg, with Ulster scheduled to play the Sharks in Durban.

A URC statement read: “Due to gastroenteritis infections it is not possible for Ulster or Glasgow Warriors to field full playing squads.

“In order to ensure a duty of care towards the players involved and given the medical advice received from all key stakeholders, the United Rugby Championship has made the decision to postpone the fixtures.

“The league will now move to examine potential dates to reschedule the games and will update in due course.”

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However, the New York-based Masotti was fizzing at the decision and took to social media to vent his frustration.

Masotti, who is an active and outspoken Twitter user, reportedly posted “Is this a joke? Must be. Is this a professional sports league? Has this happened in other professional sports leagues? Maybe darts, curling, or pickleball? Just give us the points,” before deleting it a few moments later.

Masotti grew up in Amanzimtoti and is a lifelong fan of the franchise.

An attorney by trade, Masotti is a powerful figure in the game and heads up MVM Holdings, an international investment consortium that purchased a 51 percent majority stake in The Sharks in 2021.

He was also part of a consortium of investors that agreed terms to acquire a majority controlling stake in English Premiership Rugby side Saracens for £32 million in 2021.

He likes to mix things up on Twitter in particular, even having a pop at Premiership outfit Sale Sharks, claiming the term ‘Sharks’ was inappropriate given the UK’s location in the north sea.

• Additional reporting PA