Premiership
Saracens Handed Huge Premiership Rugby Punishment
Reigning Premiership champions Saracens have been charged for breaching salary cap regulations and have been hit with a massive punishment
Saracens have been handed a £5 million fine and a 35-point deduction in the Premiership following the decision by an independent disciplinary panel with regard to breaching the Premiership Rugby salary cap regulations.
The charges were brought forward in June this year after a nine-month investigation in relation to the salary caps for each of the three seasons between 2016 and 2019 and the panel concluded that Sarries failed to disclose payments to players for each of the three seasons.
Not only that but they found that the English club had exceeded the payments to senior squad members in each season too and due to this they would uphold the charges meaning that Saracens received a hefty fine of £5,360,272.31 and have been deducted 35 points for this Premiership season.
Speaking on the verdict a Premiership Rugby spokesperson explained that the salary cap is there for a reason and that by breaching it any club deserves punishment.
“The salary cap is an important mechanism to ensure a level playing field for Premiership clubs and maintain a competitive, growing and financially sustainable league. Today’s decision by the independent panel upholds both the principle of the salary cap and the charges brought following an extensive investigation by Premiership Rugby. We are pleased that this process has reached a conclusion and we look forward to another exciting season of Premiership Rugby,” the spokesperson said.
The independent panel also rejected Saracens challenge on competition law grounds to the validity of the regulations.
Saracens may seek a review of the decision and in that case all sanctions would become suspended until the result of such a review but that review may only be sought if there is a basis that an error has been made in the law, the decision is irrational or that they feel there is some form of procedural unfairness within the decision.
The good news for Saracens is that the punishment does not extend outside the Premiership meaning they face no further sanctions on a European competition level.
However, the decision has put the current Premiership and Champions Cup holders in real danger of being relegated as they now currently sit on -26 points, 30 points off second from bottom Bath having been in fourth on 9 points before the verdict. It could also be costly to the club as a low finish in the league could see them miss out on a European spot next season and star players could seek moves elsewhere to play on the biggest stage of all.
Sale Sharks have agreed a deal to sign Fiji captain Waisea Nayacalevu from French Top14 side Toulon.
The explosive centre, who starred for his country during the recent World Cup, has signed a one-year contract with an option for a further year.
He will join up with Alex Sanderson’s Sharks squad ahead of the start of the 2024/25 Gallagher Premiership season.
Waisea, 33, said: “I’ve watched the Premiership for a long time and it’s always been in the back of my mind that I would love to play there one day and experience rugby in England.
“Now that opportunity has arrived and I’m really, really happy and grateful. I’m so excited to get over there and join the boys and see how I can contribute to the team.
“I have spoken to Telusa Veainu and he only has positive things to say about the club and about Manchester.
“I’m looking forward to playing with some of the guys I’ve played against, like Tom Curry and George Ford. But I also know there are a lot of really talented young players in the Sale Sharks squad and I’m excited to share my experience and help them develop as much as I can.
“I told Alex that it’s what I’ve been doing for the last few years of my career and it’s something I’m passionate about.”
Nayacalevu, who stands at 6’4” and weighs in at 16st 7lb, spent ten years at Top14 side Stade Français before making the switch to Toulon in 2022.
He has won 34 caps for Fiji, slotting in at both centre and on the wing, and captained his country at last year’s World Cup, where the Pacific Islanders made the quarter-finals, losing 30-24 to England in Marseille.
He also famously scored for Fiji in their memorable pre-World Cup win against England at Twickenham.
Images & Content from Sale Sharks Rugby
Phil Brantingham to join Saracens
Prop-forward Phil Brantingham will leave Newcastle Falcons in the summer to join Saracens.
The 22-year-old has played 25 games for his home town club, and leaves with the thanks and best wishes of everyone at the Falcons.
Chairman of rugby Matt Thompson said: “Phil has done well for us and we made him a good offer to stay here.
“We respect his decision and wish him all the best for his move in the summer, but between now and then he will be fully committed to finishing the season strongly for Newcastle Falcons.”
Source – Newcastle Falcons Rugby
Sale Sharks can confirm that forward Cobus Wiese will leave the club at the end of the season to return to South Africa.
The 26-year-old lock has played almost 80 games for the club and scored five tries since joining from the DHL Stormers ahead of the 2020/21 season.
He played a key role last year as Sale reached the Premiership final, and this season he has featured a further 13 times for Alex Sanderson’s side.
Alex said: “Cobus will be missed by all of us on so many levels. He’s the most polite and courteous of people off the field, but the most wildly excitable man on the field, and on a night out.
“To say Cobus wears his heart on his sleeve is to do him a disservice with regards to his emotional commitment for which his body has paid the price on occasion.
“He leads by example and has earnt the respect and adoration of the group both on a professional and a personal level. We wish him every success and happiness with his move back home.”
Everyone at Sale Sharks would like to thank Cobus for his contribution to the club and the team during his time here and we wish him all the very best for the future.
Images & Content from Sale Sharks Rugby
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