The global rugby family is mourning the passing of Carlos Barbieri, a driving force behind the advancement of rugby in South America.
 
President of Sudamérica Rugby from 2012-16 and a World Rugby Council member from 2012-16, Barbieri was passionate about the potential of member unions across South America and played a major role in the revamp of competition structures and pathways that are enabling emerging unions from the region to make their mark on the world stage.
 
A stalwart of his beloved Taragüy Rugby Club in Argentina as both a player and administrator, Barbieri represented his provincial union Corrientes before serving on the Unión Argentina de Rugby (UAR) Council between 2010-21. He was performing the role of honorary treasurer for the union and Sudamérica Rugby at the time of his passing. 
 
World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: “Today, the global rugby family has lost a friend and an exceptional ambassador for rugby in South America. Carlos was passionate about the sport and its advancement in his home country of Argentina and more widely across South America. He cared deeply about the region’s unions and people and made a significant contribution to the global game. 
 
“On behalf of the world game, I would like to express my deepest sympathies to his family and the South American rugby community. We will miss him greatly.”
 
Sudamérica Rugby President Sebastian Piñeyrúa added: “Carlos was a good personal friend and a friend to each and every country in the region. A rugby player that worked tirelessly for the game in Argentina and the region has gone. We offer our condolences to his wife, family and his many friends. He will be missed.”

UAR President Marcelo Rodriguez added: "Carlos made a great contribution to the growth of rugby in Argentina and in South America. His passing is a great loss for us and we will miss him deeply. Our sincere condolences to his family and friends."