Former World Rugby vice chairman Agustin Pichot on Tuesday announced his resignation from the World Rugby Council and all other administrative roles in the sport.
Pichot’s announcement comes less than two weeks after he lost to incumbent Sir Bill Beaumont in an election for the World Rugby chairmanship. Pichot’s late surprise candidacy saw him garner the support of SANZAAR, South America and Asia as he pledged to lead the sport into a revolution.
Beaumont, however, defeated Pichot by 28-23 votes to secure a second consecutive four-year term.
“As of today, I have decided not to continue as a UAR representative on the World Rugby Council, nor as a member of the RWC Board, nor as president of Americas Rugby,” a statement from Pichot on the Argentine Rugby Union (UAR) said.
Pichot said he chose to step aside as his proposal had not been chosen and he could not imagine occupying a leadership position for the sake of it.
“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,” he added.
Pichot said that his resignation from leadership roles in the sport did not mean he had completely ruled out contributing to the sport’s development at all.
“Although I will now be exclusively dedicated to family and personal matters, this does not mean that I am moving away from rugby. I will always contribute, from the place that touches me.”
Among Pichot’s ideas was to form a Nations Championship which would see a merger of the Rugby Championship and Six Nations and the inclusion of other select countries. This would allow other countries to benefit from the lucrative profits of European rugby.
Pichot, 45, was also critical of players from a certain country playing test rugby for other nations after being convinced abroad by profitable agreements.
