Toulon statement: The €70,000 Cheslin Kolbe salary cap fine
Toulon have responded to the findings of the recent salary cap investigation into their 2021/22 signing of Cheslin Kolbe from Toulouse. The double Springboks Rugby World Cup winner moved on to play his club rugby for the 2023/24 season in Japan after winning the European Challenge Cup with the French side last May in Dublin.
However, his departure was followed by the Ligue Nationale de Rugby salary cap disciplinary committee being asked last September to study possible breaches regarding the South African’s previous transfer from Toulouse to Toulon.
It was December 26 when the LNR released the findings of its investigation, handing Toulouse a suspended €50,000 fine for “failure to comply with the general obligation of transparency and cooperation”. Toulon were fined €70,000 for the same reason and both clubs were given seven days to appeal.
Toulouse quickly indicated they would not be appealing the suspended fine and Toulon have now decided to pay their fine after pondering what their next move should be. A club website statement explained: “The Toulon Rugby Club have taken note of the decision rendered by the specialised section of the disciplinary and regulations committee of the LNR.
“This commission had to judge whether RCT was guilty of exceeding the salary cap ceiling in the 20212022 season as calculated by the salary cap manager for the transfer of Cheslin Kolbe and other points.
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“The method of calculating the salary cap was strongly contested by the RCT, both during two mediation sessions organised by the league and before the specialised commission.
“The latter accepted the club’s arguments and rejected those of the salary cap manager and the league, which were essentially based on an interpretation of the rules. The RCT is therefore not to be blamed for exceeding the salary cap.
“The RCT has been restored to its rights and welcomes this decision. However, the special commission decided to sanction the RCT with a fine of €70,000 for ‘failure to comply with the obligation of transparency and cooperation’ with the salary cap manager.
“The RCT have always cooperated with the latter and the LNR and denies any lack of transparency. However, for the sake of appeasement, the RCT waives its right to appeal to the FFR appeal committee and will pay the fine.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Utter grub, hope he gets his leg broken. Shocking he is still playing after intentionally breaking quinn tupaeas knee
2 Go to commentsGreat to see NZ 7s teams finally coming into form and playing at the level that is expected of them.
2 Go to commentsChief Cheapshot on the market again.
2 Go to commentsCrusaders went all in to buy Hotham and Kemara staight from Hamilton Boys. Then they picked up Reihana and Hohepa; all have been dropped for superstar Havili, who is a very good fullback, that’s it. Ennor and Goodhue were schoolboy stars too but went backwards at the Crusaders. Maybe they have finally decided to give another poach Levi Aumua the ball?
10 Go to commentsJoe S has some talent to pick from. The Reds loosies look the best in Super? Aus might just give Razor a headache this year. Int. experience v Cantab greenhorn:) Should be fun.
10 Go to commentsEnd to end play, “THE FANS” this game was entertainment of the best. The conditions added to the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsSorry to say, but sadly the sadas were just ordinary and havilli at 10 as an abs selection just won’t cut it. He’s better suited in the centre’s and is a victim of past charge down kicks, he’s too slow under pressure. There’s better talent further north and I don’t mean dmac however I believe razor will sort him out. A feature of his presents on the park is the fact that the guys will follow him.
10 Go to commentsMarler was brilliant throughout both in the scrum and open play. His slap made virtually no contact with Ramos who milked it for a penalty when he could have been a decent sportsman and laughed it off, it was non-violent and shouldn't have been penalised. Smith failed repeatedly to kick when necessary and put up a couple of bombs into the TLS 22 that just handed back possession at key moments to the other side.
3 Go to commentsCros was outstanding and rightly awarded France TVs player of the match award. Mallia was brilliant as usual (the y is below the 6 on a UK keyboard and he deserves better than that). Level also seems to have been scored harshly as he walked the ball into touch under pressure from a Lynagh kick from well outside his own half which should never have led to a 50-22. Agree with BullShark that Dupont, while class at times, seemed to go missing for patches in the second half with props, hookers and wings frequently filling in at 9 as he couldn't get off the deck and up to the next ruck on time. A 7 by his standards at best, his kicking was also too long, too often. Kinghorn's overall contribution was worth well more than a five.
3 Go to commentsThe Harlequins team must be in minus figures. Did the reporter actually watch the game?
3 Go to commentsHow on earth did Walker escape a red card? Not dangerous? Dupont has his face in a mask earlier this season. Shocking decision. What is the point of TMOs? We had the Fassi ‘non-penalty try’ yesterday and now this.
2 Go to commentsCould have been a different result but yet again French tv able to affect the result by not showing the very clear high shot on harlequin centre if this would have been on a French player would have been on screen at least five times
3 Go to commentsAmazing. The losing team’s ratings are higher than the winning team’s. Mallia definitely didn’t deserve a y. What game were you watching? Should have got a w or an x. ADP hardly featured in that second half. At one point I wondered when he’d been subbed. Seems to me as if he gets an automatic 9 just for getting onto the team sheet.
3 Go to commentsI’m sorry. That second half was far from enthralling. It was painful to watch.
2 Go to commentsVery generous! If you’d missed the game, reading this you’d conclude that it was the Quins front row that cost them the game. Marler getting a blanket 6 for his demented contribution to the game. Puzzling.
3 Go to commentsCan’t see Toulouse beating Leinster at this rate.
7 Go to commentsADP was having a very average game until winning that penalty for Toulouse, sticking his big head in the way. “The head of God”?
7 Go to commentsHarlequins doing their best to do as little damage as possible with all the possession. Looks like they skipped catch and pass drills this week.
7 Go to commentsSeeing pictures of Jacques high-fiving it with Irish players breaks my heart. Too soon. I need more time.
1 Go to commentsquins is all over the place. The minute they get the ball they panic. Quins can still win tho just need to win all rucks otherwise just don't bother.
7 Go to comments