Saracens resigned to a new penalty and relegation

The Saracens, champions of England and Europe of rugby, are resigned to accept a new penalty of 35 points for exceeding the salary ceiling this season which would almost certainly lead to their relegation to the English second division, British media said on Saturday. "The Saracens will accept a new penalty of 35 points," wrote the Guardian, saying that the players and staff were informed of this during a meeting Friday morning, 48 hours from the match against Racing which could allow them to qualify for the quarter-finals of the European Cup.

The president of the Saracens resigns after the salary cap scandal via @ 20minutesSport https://t.co/9xUGD2jMu6

Already penalized by 35 points and a fine of more than 6 million euros at the start of the season for having hidden an excessive payroll during the last three seasons, the club of the suburbs of London has until the end of the month to reduce it by 2 million pounds (2.3 million euros). Tuesday, the presidents of clubs of the Premiership would have raised the tone during a meeting by proposing a new sanction of 35 points which would defeat any hope of maintenance.

According to the Guardian and The Times - and contrary to the assertions of the president of the club, Edward Griffith, who said Friday that "the discussions are still in progress and nothing has yet been finalized" - the Sarries no longer believe in it. The lack of eagerness displayed by their rivals to help them shed their workforce would not allow them to pass under the regulatory limit in the time allowed, especially since the overtaking increased further last summer with the arrival by Elliot Daly, the English international back.

What about internationals?

In the league, with 6 wins and 2 losses over the first eight days, the Saracens posted -7 points and still seemed able to make up the 18 lengths behind Leicester, penultimate and first non-relegation. But a new sanction would weigh them down more (-52 points) with 14 games to play; maintenance would then become impossible.

Relegation would mean a huge leap back for the Saracens, three times European champions (2016, 2017, 2019, and five times English champions between 2011 and 2019. In Championship (D2) they could not be European, even if 'They kept their continental title, and the many internationals (Itoje, the Vunipola brothers…) should leave the club so as not to compromise their chances with the XV de la Rose or the British Lions.

• Relegation
• Sport
• Saracens
• Sanction
• Rugby