Saracens set for dramatic about-turn on salary cap - reports

Premiership champions Saracens won’t prolong the salary cap scandal as they are set to accept their punishment, according to the British media reports.

The Daily Mail reported that the Sarries are set to accept their 35-point deduction and the fine of over £5-million (US$6.5-million) for breaching the Premiership Rugby salary cap for the last three seasons.

The sanction follows a nine-month investigation by an independent panel, who adjudicated that the Premiership side had contravened the salary cap – which is set at £7-million a year.

Thus far, the Saracens camp has been very vocal that they would challenge the independent panel’s unprecedented sanctions, with club chairperson Nigel Wray being at the forefront of the battle.

While Director of Rugby Mark McCall revealed that there was still a decision to be made, stating “all the facts of the case” will come out.

However, with the deadline for notice of the appeal on Monday, The Daily Mail and The Times UK have reported that the club has opted not to review the judgment despite having previously professed themselves “confident” about the outcome of any such move.

This means if Saracens accept the 35-point deduction they will now be left on -22 points on the log, 26 points away from the Leicester Tigers, who are currently bottom of the Premiership table.

The Sarries now face the very real threat of relegation from the Premiership.

The judgement comes off the back of revelations about Nigel Wray's 'co-investments' with high profile players.

Wray was listed with Companies House as a director alongside players such as Owen Farrell, Richard Wigglesworth and the Vunipola brothers in companies Faz Investments Ltd, Wiggy9 Investments Limited and VunProp Ltd.

Source: DailyMail & TheTime UK

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