Agustin Pichot leaves World Rugby after election defeat
KYOTO, JAPAN - MAY 10: Fujio Mitarai, Chairman of the RWC 2019 Organising Committee receives the William Webb Ellis cup from Agustin Pichot, Vice-Chairman of World Rugby during the Rugby World Cup 2019 Pool Draw at the Kyoto State Guest House on May 10, in Kyoto, Japan. Photo by Dave Rogers - World Rugby/PARSPIX/ABACAPRESS.COM
Following his defeat in the World Rugby chairman election, Agustin Pichot has quit the World Rugby Council and his president of Americas Rugby job.
The Pumas legend, who lost to Sir Bill Beaumont in the recent race, decided it was time to walk away from the roles following the election setback.
Pichot, 45, was World Rugby vice-chairman under Beaumont for the past four years before opting to run for the top position, against the Englishman.
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Despite support from the SANZAAR unions and elsewhere, the Argentine lost out to Beaumont whose new vice-chairman is Bernard Laporte from France.
“As of today, I have decided not to continue as a UAR representative on the World Rugby Council, nor as a member of the Rugby World Cup Board, nor as president of Americas Rugby,” Pichot said in a statement.
“The only reason I have been a part of World Rugby to this day, and which in turn is the same one that has moved me to run for president, is the conviction that World Rugby needs change.
“But my proposal, which I fervently believe in, has not been chosen, and that is why I choose to step aside. I cannot conceive of occupying a place just for the sake of occupying it.”