Saracens must face probe on salary cap

Clubs and former players join the calls for salary-cap inquiry

PREMIERSHIP Rugby are facing calls from clubs and former players to investigate whether Saracens are in breach of salary-cap regulations.

Sportsmail revealed yesterday that multi-millionaire Saracens owner Nigel Wray went into business with England stars Owen Farrell, Mako and billy Vunipola and Richard Wigglesworth in early 2017, and has shared property with former players after they left the club.

yesterday Premiership Rugby Ltd ( PRL) refused to say whether they will launch a formal inquiry into the club, claiming any investigation must remain confidential.

Sportsmail understands that the PRL’s salary-cap manager, Andrew Rogers, has been making inquiries specific to Saracens in the last few months.

It is thought that he has asked a number of rival clubs to disclose offers they have made to high-profile players, including Saracens squad members.

Rogers is said to be trying to establish whether players have turned down higher offers than they receive at their current clubs, raising the prospect that they are being remunerated via other methods.

It is possible the extent of Wray’s arrangements with players may extend much wider than initially thought.

Sportsmail has also been told of another major England star who struck a property deal with Wray, and still owed the 70-year- old businessman hundreds of thousands of pounds when he moved clubs.

yesterday, club chairmen and chief executives privately indicated that there was a feeling they were not operating on a level playing field.

A former senior figure at a top Premiership club said they were unsurprised by findings of our investigation.

but they said they had faith in the system, adding: ‘ you saw with the salary-cap review four years ago that was followed through diligently and actions were taken. So I think the clubs as a whole have confidence in the Premiership system.’

When it was noted that the sanctions had never been made public, they added: ‘The clubs knew what the sanctions were, and they were satisfied with that.

‘There is plenty of investigation to be done if Premiership Rugby choose to do that and it will have to go through that due process.’

Newcastle Falcons chairman Semore Kurdi said: ‘I wouldn’t be supportive of an all-out witch hunt. Saracens need to be given a chance to answer, and the next step would be to see if there is any grounds for an investigation. We need due process. It needs to be followed up appropriately.’

Former England international Andy goode told Sportsmail: ‘Does it make it a bit of a farce that Saracens have clearly looked at all the parameters and regulations and used the various loopholes and grey areas to their benefit?

‘What is the point of the salary cap? Having played at a lot of different clubs, I have been privy to a fair few contract negotiations through my agent. In reality, I know some clubs are very straight down the line. Others find other vehicles to pay you.

‘This will make a few other clubs and owners nervous, and clubs who know they are sticking to (the cap) will want to see what the answers are.’

A Saracens spokesman said: ‘We would like to reiterate that the club readily complies with Premiership Rugby salary regulations and information relating to remuneration is declared to the salary-cap manager.

‘Although co- investment partnerships between owners and players are not a prerequisite of the salary regulations, we disclose these transactions to Premiership Rugby and will continue to do so.

‘Currently, 57 per cent of the men’s squad is comprised of homegrown talent — the highest in the Premiership.

‘These players not only produce results on the pitch, they help entitle the club to £1.2million in credits above the baseline salary cap from the RFu and Premiership Rugby.

‘A professional playing career in rugby can be short.We have a responsibility to help our players fulfil their potential, not just on the pitch but off it, too.

‘We are encouraged that many of our senior players are exploring business opportunities away from rugby.’