Clubs ready to demand Sarries are kicked out
PREMIERSHIP clubs are threatening legal action to demand saracens are expelled from the league if the champions contest any guilty verdict arising from their alleged breach of the salary cap.
Sportsmail has learned that informal talks among the top-flight clubs have produced a consensus that saracens must be severely punished if they are found guilty of having flouted the £7million cap. This has led to a resolve to pursue the matter through the courts if the Premiership and european Champions Cup holders appeal against any sanctions.
saracens’ case has been passed to independent arbiters sport resolutions following a review by Premiership rugby’s (PRL) salary- cap manager Andrew roberts into evidence uncovered by Sportsmail. This revealed co-investment arrangements between owner Nigel Wray and star players including Owen Farrell, maro itoje and the Vunipola brothers.
sport resolutions are expected to conclude their investigation by the end of the month and deliver a verdict, including recommendations to PRL as to the appropriate sanctions.
Under salary- cap regulations, the maximum sporting sanction for a club found to be in breach is a 35-point deduction, which could be imposed this season. saracens’ rivals are threatening to push for even tougher sanctions if they refuse to accept sport resolutions’ punishment.
PRL are understood to be planning to abide by sport resolutions’ decision, although if found guilty saracens would have 14 days to appeal to an independent panel.
if that body also ruled against them, saracens could take the matter to the high Court, where they would face a bitter battle with the other clubs, who have discussed attempting to expel them from the Premiership.
such is saracens’ dominance that even a 35-point penalty would be unlikely to result in them being relegated.
The attitude of the Premiership clubs towards enforcing the cap appears to have hardened since the previous row over alleged breaches four years ago when two clubs — understood to be saracens and Bath — were cleared following an investigation.
The arrival of new owners with ambitions to challenge historically dominant clubs such as four-times Premiership winners saracens has altered the dynamic, with the prevailing view now that any misdemeanours must be punished in order to protect the integrity of the Gallagher Premiership and its commercial value.
The investment of CVC Capital Partners, who have bought a 27 per cent stake in the Premiership as well as taking minority holdings in the Guinness Pro 14 and six Nations Championship, is also significant in that context and the private equity firm are understood to have firm views about any salary-cap breaches.
The clubs would like to have the situation resolved before the Premiership season starts on October 18, but are willing to engage in a lengthy legal battle if necessary in order to get their desired outcome.
saracens deny any wrongdoing, insisting all their joint investments complied with the regulations and had been disclosed to the salary-cap manager before revelations.