It's amazing that they claimed to be under the cap, and yet releasing three relatively average players and one big earner, none of whom were marquee, will apparently free up more than £1 million.
As plenty of others have said, it was clear they were cheating, the difference in the statements between when they were given the fine, when they declared they weren't going to appeal it, and now all reveal that it was deliberate and systematic, and extensive. And more and more I think the players were complicit.
I agree about the players. Didnt saracens brag about how they deal with the players direct. Sort of removes the "I didnt know the details" arguement. And I have no doubt if I was being offered a sum money and then an extra sum of money on the side you dont need to be a genius to be suspicious. Truth is they didnt care as they were winning trophies and gaining international recognition whilst others suffered. As I said scum.
I know it is not just an opinion that this has caused huge friction with players from other clubs. In the media players might be being kind and saying its not the players fault but I know it has caused some animosity between players and not just at England camp.
I continue to be so disappointed by the way this is all being reported. The way they still admire Saracens as a team etc. They were built illegally and so it remains the case for so long as they continue to avoid any genuine punishment that undoes the advantages they have gained.
Winds me up hearing them referred to as champions or players as 3 times winners etc. I'm sorry all that is unable to be officially removed but any person with balls would just leave it out of introductions as they should. They cheated their way to titles.
There was a story back 2015/16 or around that time where McCall said about how they were going to have to decide whole they lose from their squad out of Maro and Owen etc. They didnt end up losing anyone.