Georgia Rugby Union (GRU) vice-president Merab Beselia has been arrested, after shooting a former player in the leg at the sport's national headquarter in Tbilisi.
According to local media reports, Beselia shot former Georgia sevens captain Ramaz Kharazishvili, who was rushed to hospital for emergency surgery, although his injury is not life threatening.
Interior Ministry spokeswoman Nino Giorgobiani confirmed to Agence France-Presse that Beselia was detained "for the illegal purchase, possession and carrying of a firearm, and for intentionally lightly wounding a person".
But acting GRU president Tornike Gogebashvili wouldn't confirm that Beselia was involved, only saying an incident took place at their headquarters and Kharazishvili sustained a bullet wound to his shin.
"Kharazishvili received injuries to his leg," Gogebashvili told 1TV.ge. "His life is not in danger.
"All employees of the Rugby Union are cooperating with the police."
According to Georgian media, the incident followed a dispute between the two men.
Kharazishvili is president of Kiketi-based Jankers, which is among 32 clubs accusing interim president Gogebashvili of damaging efforts to help Georgian rugby survive the coronavirus pandemic.
The GRU has been in turmoil since president Giorgi Gorgaslidze resigned, with ongoing disputes over who should take over
Last week, Georgia were confirmed to replace Japan in a eight-nation Autumn Nations Cup series, alongside England, Wales and Ireland in Group A.
