London (AFP)
The Saracens, defending European and British champions relegated at the end of the season for exceeding the salary ceiling, have "continuously failed to fulfill their obligations" and have been "reckless" in their management, an independent report published on Thursday revealed.
The investigation detailed in this report had led the English League (PRL) to fine Saracens in early November 5.3 million pounds (6.2 million euros) and a withdrawal of 35 points in the classification before, the last week, to announce the outright relegation of the European champion team 2016, 2017 and 2019.
According to the report, the Saracens "have continuously and recklessly breached their obligations to cooperate with the manager of the salary cap".
The "Sarries" have broken wage cap regulations in five of the past seven seasons.
"These failures are all the more serious since in 2015 the Saracens were already exempt from reminders from the League to cooperate with the manager," it is underlined.
In addition, the shortcomings for the 2016-17 and 2018-19 seasons were "multiple and not isolated", the Saracens "having massively exceeded the ceiling for these two years".
Report writers rejected "mere negligence", noting that the club has been "reckless in its approach to the salary cap and related rules and has frequently crossed the red line". "He took risks and is paying the price today."
The report details how the former president and owner of the Sarries, Nigel Wray, who resigned in early January, set up real estate with at least four players whose identities have not been revealed and claims "that these capital injections were salaries".
In a statement Thursday, Nigel Wray acknowledged his "thoughtless approach to matters relating to compliance with the salary ceiling" and "assumes full responsibility" while affirming that his "intentions in terms of co-investments have always been to support players beyond their careers. "
© 2020 AFP