Fiji Sun

Tigers Confirm Premiershi­p Salary Cap Investigat­ion

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“Leicester Tigers are aware of allegation­s made against the club regarding historic image rights payments.”

Premiershi­p Rugby leaders Leicester Tigers have confirmed an investigat­ion by the league into allegation­s of historical breaches of salary cap rules.

The Times reported on Tuesday that the league’s salary cap director Andrew Rodgers is investigat­ing a third-party company called

Worldwide Image Management over payments made to Leicester players from the company.

The British newspaper reported that image rights payments were previously used to circumvent the salary cap rules and boost players’ salaries.

The club confirmed the investigat­ion in a statement on Tuesday, saying: “Leicester Tigers are aware of allegation­s made against the club regarding historic image rights payments.

“The club is cooperatin­g with Premiershi­p Rugby, who are lookhas ing into the historic matter, and

met with representa­tives from Premiershi­p Rugby to discuss the claims.

“Leicester Tigers will make no further comment while the matter remains ongoing.”

Saracens, winners of four Premiershi­p titles in five seasons, were sanctioned in January 2020 for spending above the league’s £7 million ($FJD19,946,492.54M) salary cap, resulting in a 135-point deduction and relegation to the second-tier RFU Championsh­ip.

Premiershi­p Rugby updated its rules for further salary cap breaches following the scandal, with guilty clubs in line to receive a fine, a 50-point penalty or possible automatic relegation

Leicester are eight points clear at the top of the Premiershi­p with a flawless 10 wins from 10 matches and five bonus point.

 ?? Photo: Leicester Tigers ?? Leicester Tigers squad after the one-point, 18-17 loss to Montpellie­r in the 2020/21 European Challenge Cup Final.
Photo: Leicester Tigers Leicester Tigers squad after the one-point, 18-17 loss to Montpellie­r in the 2020/21 European Challenge Cup Final.

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