Saracens docked 35 points

[BG]

The whole thing is total bullshit. PRL really have no teeth and have no desire to gain any. The EAs will continue as previously ignoring all and breaking new rules as Wray sees fit. Their meeting on Wednesday will probably be to advise those whose finances have been compromised how it will be made good (how many of your relatives wish to be employed?). What really astounds me is the silence from the other owners/boards.

Other owners/boards will have been desperately trying to make sure that they haven't done anything out of the ordinary.. so they will be looking at lease car deals.. reduced rental properties, other benefits that might be construed as income.

I damn sure Wray and Sarries aren't going to lie down.. They'll let this blow over and then start targetting other clubs.

As to the PRL report.. it will only take one whistleblower working in admin somewhere.. be that at PRL or at one of the other 12 PRL clubs..

[Tervueren]

Can the other 11 clubs gang-up to get them relegated and then vote for ring-fencing?

[RBB]

It never rains but it pours...

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2019/11/18/saracens-facing-loss-sponsors-following-salary-cap-punishments/

Saracens' chief sponsor Allianz wishes to hold talks to discuss their future commitment following the club's salary cap breach, putting their seven-year association with the north London club at risk.

Behind the paywall, it may be natural speculation of course...

[Marlovian]

Can the other 11 clubs gang-up to get them relegated and then vote for ring-fencing?

As the other 11 (12) clubs have a combined majority shareholding in PRL I think it is entirely reasonable that further announcement will follow in the next couple of weeks or so. Derek is certainly both aware and sympathetic to the views of the majority of rugby supporters.

[DGP Wasp]

Eddie's worried it could disrupt England:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/50461381

Anyone else read that and think it sounds like a deal may be being struck with the RFU to ensure a good chunk of their England players will be made available to Sarries during the 6N to "compensate" for the points deduction in exchange for them dropping their objection?  So hypothetically Itoje, Kruis, Billy and Spencer allowed to play against Wasps on the weekend England play Ireland with Launchbury, Shields and Robson brought in only to be dropped again once the season is done?

[Tervueren]

It never rains but it pours...

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2019/11/18/saracens-facing-loss-sponsors-following-salary-cap-punishments/

Saracens' chief sponsor Allianz wishes to hold talks to discuss their future commitment following the club's salary cap breach, putting their seven-year association with the north London club at risk.

Behind the paywall, it may be natural speculation of course...

Saracens' chief sponsor Allianz wishes to hold talks to discuss their future commitment following the club's salary cap breach, putting their seven-year association with the north London club at risk.

On Monday, Saracens confirmed that they will be accepting the 35-point penalty and £5.36million fine for breaching Premiership Rugby's salary cap regulations. Allianz has given no guarantees for their future sponsorship of the club and its stadium, Allianz Park.

The future partnership between the two parties will be dependent on Saracens assuring the multi-national financial services provider that they have a "shared understanding" of the importance of "transparency and integrity".

The current sponsorship deal runs until 2021, having been extended in December 2017.

Allianz told MailOnline in a statement: "The independent disciplinary panel set up by Premiership Rugby has ruled on the charges brought against Saracens Rugby Club and Saracens have accepted the consequences. We respect that process and have no comment on it.

"Allianz is a long time sponsor but is not a member of any executive or supervisory boards of Saracens. The financial decisions taken in relation to the remuneration of the players are taken by the club’s officials and Allianz has played no part in this process.

"At Allianz we act with transparency and integrity and living up to these high standards is very important to us. We will be holding discussions with the club to confirm this shared understanding and commitment going forward.'

Nigel Wray accepted in his statement that he should have consulted with Premiership Rugby's (PRL) salary cap manager before entering into co-investment partnerships with players.

Wray also added: “We will shortly introduce robust independent governance measures acceptable to all, including the appointment to the Saracens board of a director, who will oversee a new governance regime. I will continue as always to support the club financially going forwards to ensure there is no financial instability or uncertainty.”

Although he insisted that the club is complying with the salary cap this season and will "continue to work transparently with Premiership Rugby in this regard", Allianz seems to want tangible assurances before committing to any future sponsorship.

Telegraph Sport has approached Saracens' smaller sponsors for comment.

[DGP Wasp]

Can the other 11 clubs gang-up to get them relegated and then vote for ring-fencing?

Home team wins with a bonus point, away team scores 4 tries and within 7 points so come away with 2.  If that's done for the remaining rounds in all games not involving Sarries then that ought to be enough to send them down I'd have thought.

Or just agree to play an open game for the first 40, ensuring both sides have a try bonus by HT, then play the 2nd half to determine the result.  At least that still keeps it competitive while maximising league points all round.

[BG]

It never rains but it pours...

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2019/11/18/saracens-facing-loss-sponsors-following-salary-cap-punishments/

Saracens' chief sponsor Allianz wishes to hold talks to discuss their future commitment following the club's salary cap breach, putting their seven-year association with the north London club at risk.

Behind the paywall, it may be natural speculation of course...

Here you go..

Saracens' chief sponsor Allianz wishes to hold talks to discuss their future commitment following the club's salary cap breach, putting their seven-year association with the north London club at risk.
On Monday, Saracens confirmed that they will be accepting the 35-point penalty and £5.36million fine for breaching Premiership Rugby's salary cap regulations. Allianz has given no guarantees for their future sponsorship of the club and its stadium, Allianz Park.
The future partnership between the two parties will be dependent on Saracens assuring the multi-national financial services provider that they have a "shared understanding" of the importance of "transparency and integrity".
The current sponsorship deal runs until 2021, having been extended in December 2017.
Allianz told MailOnline in a statement: "The independent disciplinary panel set up by Premiership Rugby has ruled on the charges brought against Saracens Rugby Club and Saracens have accepted the consequences. We respect that process and have no comment on it.
"Allianz is a long time sponsor but is not a member of any executive or supervisory boards of Saracens. The financial decisions taken in relation to the remuneration of the players are taken by the club’s officials and Allianz has played no part in this process.
"At Allianz we act with transparency and integrity and living up to these high standards is very important to us. We will be holding discussions with the club to confirm this shared understanding and commitment going forward.'
Nigel Wray accepted in his statement that he should have consulted with Premiership Rugby's (PRL) salary cap manager before entering into co-investment partnerships with players.
Wray also added: “We will shortly introduce robust independent governance measures acceptable to all, including the appointment to the Saracens board of a director, who will oversee a new governance regime. I will continue as always to support the club financially going forwards to ensure there is no financial instability or uncertainty.”
Although he insisted that the club is complying with the salary cap this season and will "continue to work transparently with Premiership Rugby in this regard", Allianz seems to want tangible assurances before committing to any future sponsorship.
Telegraph Sport has approached Saracens' smaller sponsors for comment.
Meanwhile, Eddie Jones fears some Saracens players could skip England's Six Nations campaign to help their club avoid Premiership relegation.
Jones selected six Saracens for the World Cup final in Yokohama, led by captain Owen Farrell. Mako and Billy Vunipola, Jamie George, Maro Itoje and Elliot Daly - who is yet to play for the club after his summer move from Wasps - were all part of the matchday squad.

The quote by Eddie is revealing.. as an international coach he can pick whoever he likes as long as the games are within the international window.. A player can refuse to be picked but then  presumably that player will be kicked out of the EPS.. or does EJ have a cosy relationshio with Sarries.. why on earth would you take Jack Singleton?

I noticed EJ is plying his book at any media outlet that he can find..

[Fats]

Brian Moore in todays Torygraph

"So, Saracens are not to continue their appeal against the £5.4 million fine and 35-point deduction for not declaring income and breaking the salary cap for three seasons. This is not surprising for anyone who knows much about the procedural niceties of the case and given the sanction was handed down by a very experienced and highly qualified independent tribunal. It does seem to have come as a bit of a shock to some, who are trying to claim that this move says nothing about the merits of Saracens’ case. Evidently, it is purely on playing grounds and does not dent the claim that Saracens did nothing wrong, bar a bit of administrative misunderstanding.

Sure; and if you believe that you probably think Prince Andrew is a virgin."

Brilliant

[Hymenoptera]

Brian says it how it is..good on him.

The telegraph is a non story of huge proportions, meeting to ensure alignment..blah.

[13thWarrior]

Eddie's worried it could disrupt England:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/50461381

Anyone else read that and think it sounds like a deal may be being struck with the RFU to ensure a good chunk of their England players will be made available to Sarries during the 6N to "compensate" for the points deduction in exchange for them dropping their objection?  So hypothetically Itoje, Kruis, Billy and Spencer allowed to play against Wasps on the weekend England play Ireland with Launchbury, Shields and Robson brought in only to be dropped again once the season is done?

Urgh, I read it like that too. Sounds like EJ is preparing to not pick Saracens players in the 6 Nations if they need them to key matches in that window. Hope thats purely a pessimistic reading of an ambiguous statement....

[Neils]

So if EA players are not picked does that mean a reduction in funding due? Similar to the Haskell toe!

[Rifleman Harris]

Or if Leicester, Bath or Us happen to be in a relegation battle with the Cheats will their England players be excused too? It stinks.

Sent from my LYA-L29 using Tapatalk

[Hymenoptera]

If they were, thats 125k they miss out on...oh wait I forgot, it doesn't matter to them..

[welsh wasp]

It’s said - by Saracens’ new PR advisers no doubt - that they are compliant with the cap this season so no further issues. How did they manage to do that - reduce the payments to players?