Nigel Wray celebrates the title of 2015 - SIPA

Nigel Wray announced Thursday his resignation from the presidency of the Saracens, champion of England and Europe in title, the end of an era of success on the lawn but tarnished by the recent scandal of non-compliance with the salary ceiling.

'Time for a fresh start': Nigel Wray retires as Saracens chairman https://t.co/rgJrHq9VrU pic.twitter.com/rDUmEGfhRq

- SarriesRugbyNews (@sarriesrugbynws) January 2, 2020

"As we start a new year, a new decade, it is time for the club to make a fresh start," Wray said in a club statement. "I am not getting any younger and I think it is time for me to stop and just enjoy being a supporter of this incredible rugby club," added the wealthy septuagenarian who will always finance a club he has transformed since then. his arrival in 1995.

The club will have to fight to avoid relegation

Since then, the Saracens have won five titles of champion of England and three European Cups. Wray funding has helped attract some of the best players in the world, which is unlikely to change. The press release makes no mention of the scandal which erupted last November and resulted in 35 penalty points in the classification of the English championship and 5.3 million pounds (more than 6 M EUR) fine, for having circumvented the capping regulations payroll to better pay its best players.

Club Statement | Nigel Wray has decided to retire as Chairman of Saracens with immediate effecthttps: //t.co/HPdzOSZA0g

- Saracens Rugby Club (@Saracens) January 2, 2020

Wray had vigorously defended the Saracens during the nine months of investigation by an independent panel which had finally concluded that the club was guilty. Decided to appeal, the latter finally accepted the sanction in November. After the heavy penalty, the Saracens still occupy the last place in the championship with -12 points after five victories and two defeats.

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