Fiji rugby league international Atunaisa Vunivalu has been banned for five years for punching a referee in a club match at Sigatoka, the Fiji Times newspaper has reported.

The board of the Fiji National Rugby League imposed the ban immediately after the match between the Vunivalu's Mango Bay Cowboys and the Nabua Broncos which was called off early because of the incident on Saturday.

Referee Sale Tubuna had just awarded a dropped goal to the Broncos, who led 21-14, when Vunivalu allegedly struck the referee from behind, causing an injury to his right eye.

"Atu was on the final warning prior to the final," match commissioner Rusiate Ratakele was quoted as saying Sunday.

"He was previously cited for dangerous play on July 19 and July 26.

"The board held discussions with both managers of the Cowboys and the Broncos before reaching its decision. There is no room for hooliganism in the sport of rugby league."

The ban rules Vunivalu out of the Fiji team for the Rugby League World Cup which begins in Australia in October.

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