Planet Rugby Opinion: Saracens are the Lance Armstrong of Rugby

[MarleyWasp]

https://www.planetrugby.com/opinion-saracens-are-the-lance-armstrong-of-rugby

Hard to argue with anything they say, but by heck this is a brutal assessment!

[RBB]

This part echoes my views, a bold article which will undoubtedly cause Stephen Jones and the other blinkered EA supporters to go into meltdown. The point about the non-execs is well made, they are supposed to oversee and impose corporate governance, on this occasion they have been found out to be either toothless/neutralised or have knowingly turned the other way.

With regards to Saracens, both their non-executive directors, acting directors and senior coaching staff knew everything and, on that basis, need to face personal sanctions and be removed from any involvement in the game completely, sine die. If that means the club ceases trading, so be it. Like Lance Armstrong, they can always watch the games on TV. For the investors, tough – it’s your desire for vicarious satisfaction that’s driven the issue.

Elsewhere, extreme pressure should be applied by World Rugby to the PRO14 and other contiguous leagues to refuse Sarries any form of ‘creative’ lifeline. There can be no compromise here; the North London club are cancerous and their tumour of deceit needs removing from the game completely.

[mike909]

https://www.planetrugby.com/opinion-saracens-are-the-lance-armstrong-of-rugby

Hard to argue with anything they say, but by heck this is a brutal assessment!

Seems quite measured really.

If you go out of your way to cheat the rules and celebrate your success - you ought not be surprised (as too many EA fans seem to be) when people are not exactly enamoured with you and your behaviour.

[Vespula Vulgaris]

That is a brilliant article.

[backdoc]

Yes, the cultural side of it is the clincher.

[MarleyWasp]

About a week after I had a date with a Saracens fan. I'd avoided mentioning the S and C words up until that point and she brought it up. It became clear to me that the way Saracens fans are defending the club is culture bordering on cult. It was almost like a guide on what to say had been sent to all supporters so they know what to say. Needless to say there wasn't a second date, which is probably just as well as she'd probably have broken it off on Saturday night!

[Rifleman Harris]

It is beginning to fell more like the Richard Virenque of Rugby rather than the Lance Armstrong.  When Armstrong was caught cycling seemed to clean up it's act...Virenque caused a fair bit of angst and wringing of hands, but in the end everything was swept under the carpet and life got back to being like it was before.  Rugby needs to be more like cycling dealing with Armstrong, but it feels like being a Virenque.