Pay row could drive England stars away
THE battle over pay cuts between Premiership clubs and players has prompted fears England stars could quit for a payday in Japan, France or the USA.
Despite the Rugby Players’ Association (RPA) hitting out at the league and club owners over a lack of consultation, as reported by Sportsmail yesterday, it is understood chiefs are determined to force cuts through.
RPA chairman Mark Lambert said: ‘We have concerns around the impact this will have on England players’ decisions on where they play their rugby. The clubs have confirmed they have no intention of consultation.’
Across the league, players are feeling pressured to sign inferior deals as clubs try to exploit what is seen as a loophole they created in new salary cap regulations.
Dressed up as a way of ‘managing the transition’ to the lower spending level, clubs are offering their players a choice: sign a new, reduced, multi-year deal now or take your chances later.
If a player is on a contract signed by a manufactured deadline of next Thursday, only 75 per cent of his salary will count towards the cap when it is reduced by £1.4million in 2021.
If he signs after the deadline, his whole salary will count when the cap is reduced and he will be vulnerable to the chop when clubs trim their budgets.
One source told Sportsmail this move was ‘really murky’ and that ‘lots will accept deals they later regret’ as the panic sets in. It is predicted about 150 players, around 20 per cent of the Premiership, will sign by next week. No contract laws are broken if players consent.
‘Those who don’t sign will be pretty terrified by what the future holds until they sign their next deal,’ added the source.
Richard Cramer, partner at sports solicitors Front Row Legal, said: ‘It’s a manipulative, divisive approach from the clubs.
‘I suspect that the clubs have deliberately picked a fight. It may well be the league is declaring war on the players’ union, saying, “If you don’t like it, we can withdraw funding”.
‘They will look to split the union, divide and conquer, and pick off players’ contracts on an ad-hoc basis which weakens the legal position of the rest.’