[420 Girl]

The Japan Sumo Association intends to make a severance payment to former wrestler Wakanoho, who was fired in August after his arrest for marijuana possession, it was learned Monday.

The payment, believed to be more than 5 million yen, will be discussed and likely approved at a board meeting.

Wakanoho, whose real name is Soslan Gagloev, has filed a lawsuit seeking to nullify his dismissal, and also is demanding unpaid salary. If his suit fails, the JSA will authorize the severance payment.

Association policy states that wrestlers and stablemasters who are expelled from sumo are not entitled to severance pay. However, the policy does not specify whether individuals who are merely dismissed can be denied the allowance.

To expel a wrestler or stablemaster, more than 75 percent of board members, councillors, yokozuna and ozeki have to vote for a special resolution.

A lawyer for the 20-year-old Russian contacted the JSA in November to demand severance pay if his suit fails. The JSA said it would make the payment if the court upholds the wrestler's dismissal.

Russian brothers Roho and Hakurozan were fired in September after testing positive for marijuana in tests administered by the JSA. A senior association official said it "will also be legally required to pay [their benefits] if a request is made.

"I believe we have to discuss revising the policy [over paying severance]."

http://www.420magazine.com/forums/in...rance-pay.html