Fans' message to Premiership Rugby: Audit all the clubs now, not just Saracens
Despite accepting their £5.36million fine and a 35-point deduction in the Gallagher Premiership, Saracens’ problems do not seem over.
This comes after The Times newspaper revealed that the reigning English and European champions could be subjected to a mid-season audit by Premiership Rugby.
That audit is something RugbyPass has since learned the club are willing to allow happen, voluntarily open its doors to official scrutiny.
It is expected that Premiership Rugby Ltd, the umbrella organisation for England’s top flight, will be given the chance to ‘view the books’ through their official auditors.
Saracens were punished for failing to disclose player payments over the past three seasons which related to co-investments between players and chairman Nigel Wray.
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The club have now insisted they are complying with salary cap regulations this season, but many fans have reacted by insisting that the rest of the clubs in the Premiership should also be audited in the name of fairness.
And obviously Prem rugby should be required to publish the full decision before requiring ALL clubs to have their books looked at mid season
— sussexfox (@sussexfox1) November 26, 2019
If you want a level open and fair system then ALL clubs need to inspected to the degree of saracens
— Russell Harris (@sarriefan_uk) November 26, 2019
Quite right too but in the interest of fair play this should be applied to all clubs. If nothing else it will put down a marker.
— Mark Fletcher (@MarkFletch117) November 26, 2019
These are obviously mitigating circumstances, which is why Saracens have been singled out, but regardless of what they have been accused of doing, some feel that it is unfair that they are the only side that are forced to be transparent.
Furthermore, with a number of sides chastising the three-time Champions Cup winners for what they have done, they will surely feel they have nothing to hide.
I can see the logic behind this. But it must cut both ways. For the sake of fairness, all clubs should do the same. More importantly, PRL need to show some backbone and start to enforce some discipline. This is turning into a lynching with mob justice to the fore.
— GavtheSalaryCap (@GavtheSarrie) November 26, 2019
A mid season audit would have to include all clubs surely. That would be grossly unfair on Sarries to single them out
— Tony Walker (@tonywalks_1965) November 26, 2019
Of course, many have been keen to retort that no other club has been punished or even investigated for eight months regarding salary cap breaches.
It is for that reason why Sarries should be the only team that are forced into this position. That point is valid, but it has not stopped many people demanding the same treatment for all teams across England.
All the premiership teams and players should face a forensic financial audit. Then it will be totally clear who is following the rules of not. Saracens are the only team to have had 9 months of investigative journalism and PRL Inspection, the other clubs have nothing.
— Drew (@d_r_ew) November 26, 2019
I assume that seeing as a 'level playing field' is what you all want so badly that all clubs will face the same? Or is it only level for one.
— ???Steve… (@saracen1971) November 26, 2019
If there's going to be an audit it should be on every club
— colin boag (@colinboag) November 26, 2019
Given their success in England and Europe over recent years and their impressive squad depth, questions had always lingered over the London side.
However, while this salary cap investigation has been an eye-opening ordeal for them, many feel other teams should be scrutinised in the same way.
WATCH: Going Pro, the behind the scenes RugbyPass documentary with the Saracens women’s team
Comments on RugbyPass
Did footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
10 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
10 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
34 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
34 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
22 Go to comments