English players threaten legal case
ENGLISH rugby is on the verge of chaos as players vented their anger over the Premiership’s decision to reduce the salary cap for upcoming seasons.
The Rugby Players’ Association, which looks after the interests of the players in England, threatened legal action ‘unless meaningful and genuine dialogue takes place urgently’.
Yesterday, Premiership clubs voted unanimously to reduce the salary cap from the 2021/22 season, with it set to return to its current level before the start of the 2024-25 season at the latest.
Clubs must now shave £1.4 million off their wage bill in preparation for the cut.
The decision was taken to address the significant financial strain being placed on clubs in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
But the RPA are furious about the lack of consultation throughout the process and claim players are being pressured into signing amended contracts.
Players in England accepted temporary 25% pay cuts in March. Attempts to make those pay cuts permanent were unanimously rejected by the RPA last month.
“The RPA have been working diligently over the last 12 weeks to seek to avoid a repeat of the damaging situation the game found itself in when the clubs imposed temporary wage cuts on a unilateral basis in mid-March,” said RPA chairman Mark Lambert.
“This latest situation could have been entirely avoided with a collaborative and transparent approach and we now find ourselves heading towards a significant legal dispute unless meaningful and genuine dialogue takes place urgently.
“From the outset of this crisis there has been an absolute disregard for the players and the values of the game.
“Players at some clubs are now being served with ultimatums and being put under undue pressure to sign amended contracts through the manufactured deadline of June 18th.
“To be clear, this is a totally unacceptable way to operate. Players are the lifeblood of the game and should be treated with respect.
“Players should not engage with this approach. The RPA will continue to fight for our members throughout this crisis.”