Emergency meeting for under-fire Sarries
REACTION: Saracens have reiterated they will do whatever is “reasonably required” to prove they are operating within the salary cap for the current season.
The English Premiership and European champions – facing the threat of automatic relegation – are reported to have been told they will be demoted at the end of the campaign unless they can show compliance following a summit of Premiership Rugby Limited Chief Executives in London on Tuesday.
In November Saracens were docked 35 points and fined £5.3 million (US$6.9 million) for breaking the salary cap for the past three seasons.
However, patience appears to have run out among rivals over their efforts to fall within the £7 million limit for the 2019-20 campaign, having added England internationals Elliot Daly and Jack Singleton to their squad.
Chief Executive Ed Griffiths presided over an emergency meeting of staff and players at the club’s training ground on Friday as efforts continue to reduce the wage bill.
Griffiths admitted earlier this month there must either be wage reductions or players trimmed from the squad in order to comply with salary cap regulations.
It has been reported that £2 million is the amount of savings needed to be found.
“Discussions are continuing and nothing has been finalised but our position remains the same,” Griffiths said in a statement issued to the Press Association news agency.
“It is clearly in the interests of the league and English rugby that this matter is dealt with as soon as possible and we are prepared to do whatever is reasonably required to draw that line.”
Answering a series of questions from fans on social media, former Saracens coach Brendan Venter fanned the flames by claiming the club were victims of an “agenda” from their Premiership rivals, who were determined to see them drop from the division.
On the field, Saracens are already facing a relegation battle due to their points deduction, but six wins from their opening eight games of the season have pulled them to within 18 points of safety.
They could also still progress to the quarter-finals of the European Champions Cup if they beat Racing 92 at home on Sunday.
Related articles
Saracens face automatic relegation
Saracens reveal new chairman
Salary cap saga: The latest casualty
CONFIRMED: Welsh legend signs at Newlands
Saints lose their World Cup winner
For those that still believe there was no hidden agenda by the clubs i will give you a timeline of events and then you will understand that Some clubs wanted an opportunity to win something and some wanted to prevent relegation. Everybody had an agenda. https://t.co/jKMkrr15Hk
— Brendan Venter (@BrendanVenter) January 17, 2020
Timeline. Saracens get charged with breaking the cap.They dispute it and lose.This only happens in this current season. Get a fine and points reduction. When it becomes apparent that despite deduction they wont get relegated this season is questioned. How could they correct it?
— Brendan Venter (@BrendanVenter) January 17, 2020
They then ask for an opportunity to correct it before 31 Jan. The clubs refuse. This would have put Saracens within the cap legally for the year. Granted with a bit of luck because of injuries but nevertheless in the cap. Now tell me there was no agenda from the start ?
— Brendan Venter (@BrendanVenter) January 17, 2020
The good news is that Saracens is a club with a great culture of looking after people. They have taken a big knock but in these times character kicks in. Watch them overcome this,keep the team together and come back stronger. Life is way more interesting with challenges.
— Brendan Venter (@BrendanVenter) January 17, 2020
The thing i am now looking fwd to most is when the Daily Mail latches on to the fact that various other clubs have been doing some creative accounting to stay within the cap. Will all the haters stay loyal to their moral compasses. This story far from over yet.
— Brendan Venter (@BrendanVenter) January 17, 2020
Debating on twitter is fun. Like being a doctor. We get to engage with a whole spectrum of people we never have the privilege of engaging with. It makes life more interesting. Talking to like minded people everyday is boring. Appreciate all the input today.
— Brendan Venter (@BrendanVenter) January 17, 2020
Debating on twitter is fun. Like being a doctor. We get to engage with a whole spectrum of people we never have the privilege of engaging with. It makes life more interesting. Talking to like minded people everyday is boring. Appreciate all the input today.
— Brendan Venter (@BrendanVenter) January 17, 2020
Ok. Last point. No debating please. Its a factual point. The 2 million leak is not the truth. I asked some people. Its without credits,Marquees,and injured players that have not played at all this year. So whoever leaked it is not credible.
— Brendan Venter (@BrendanVenter) January 17, 2020
