Samoa centre Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu has been charged with misconduct after he accused Welsh referee Nigel Owens of bias and racism. via social media network Twitter.

Tournament officials have charged Fuimaono-Sapolu with a "breach...of the World Cup disciplinary programme and for alleged infractions of the...terms of participation".

The 30-year-old criticised slammed Owens and the IRB after Samoa crashed out of the World Cup following their 13-5 defeat to South Africa that.

Fuimaono-Sapolu questioned Owens' neutrality on the basis that Wales stood to benefit from a South African victory.

"The charge follows a previous formal warning issued to the Samoa Rugby Union, regarding social media conduct by the same player during Rugby World Cup 2011," tournament officials confirmed.

Fuimaono-Sapolu that compared Samoa's unfair schedule to slavery, the holocaust and apartheid.

The case will be heard by the Independent Judicial Officer Jeff Blackett (ENG) with the date and time to be confirmed.

The article was first published by Planet Rugby