Saracens: Premiership club to appeal against ‘heavy-handed sanctions’ following fine and points deduction

Following a seven-month investigation, the reigning Gallagher Premiership champions were found to have ‘failed to disclose payments to players’ and ‘exceeded the ceiling for payments to senior players’

Saracens will appeal against the “heavy-handed” 35-point deduction and fine in excess of £5m handed down by Premiership Rugby after being found to have breached salary rules.

Following a seven-month investigation, the reigning Gallagher Premiership champions were found to have “failed to disclose payments to players” and “exceeded the ceiling for payments to senior players” in each of the past three seasons.

If the points deduction is upheld, Saracens, who are currently fourth in the Premiership, would face a fight to survive in the top flight.

A club statement read: “Saracens Rugby Club is shocked and disappointed by these heavy-handed sanctions and will launch an appeal against all the disciplinary panel’s findings.

“The club is pleased the Panel acknowledged it did not deliberately attempt to breach the salary cap and steadfastly maintains that player co-investments do not constitute salary under the regulations,” a statement read. ”This view is supported by independent legal and professional experts.

“The club will continue to vigorously defend this position especially as PRL precedent already exists whereby co-investments have not been deemed part of salary in the regulations.

“As previously stated, the club made administrative errors relating to the non-disclosure of some transactions to PRL and for this we apologise. We are pleased to confirm we now have a robust governance framework in place and this will be overseen by an external counsel to ensure the Club follows best practice.

“Furthermore, it is the club’s belief that the Panel’s narrow interpretation of the regulations is detrimental to player welfare across the league and is damaging the development of elite level rugby in the UK.

“Saracens is proud of its pioneering, innovative approach to player welfare, developing their talents and supporting their entrepreneurial spirit for life beyond rugby.”