Come clean on Sarries storm
THIS state of limbo is damaging and it cannot go on. English rugby’s reputation will be left in a dire state if the controversy over Saracens’ salary cap breaches is allowed to drift on for months.
Premiership Rugby (PRl) need to step up and provide proper leadership. today, ideally. their devotion to secrecy is harming their brand and the upper tier of the domestic game. Immediate transparency is the only means of regaining some credibility and removing suspicions.
as it stands, Saracens remain adamant that they have done nothing wrong, which is why they are challenging the verdict against them — a deduction of 35 league points and a fine in excess of £5million.
Meanwhile, many of their rivals are convinced Saracens are still breaching the cap right now. But Mark McCall, the embattled champions’ director of rugby, insists he will not have to cut his squad in the quest for legitimacy. It’s all as clear as mud.
the challenge process could drag on for months and PRl cannot seem to grasp that a wait for a distant outcome is impossible. It is ludicrous to expect this to be placed on the back burner so that the season can take its normal course as if nothing untoward has happened.
For a start, the full judgment should be published. Saracens claim that it merely finds them guilty of inadvertent breaches without malicious intent. and the rest of the Premiership clubs deserve to know precisely what has caused this disciplinary outcome which threatens upheaval and profound implications for all of them.
Spending levels should be revealed and independently verified. It is essential for PRl to provide immediate and compelling proof that Saracens are no longer deemed to be in breach of the cap, as of this season, otherwise they will face a mutiny.
the Premiership shareholders run their own competition under the guise of PRl and this episode suggests the model is not fit for purpose. the investigation has taken far too long — it should have been resolved before the season began — and only came to a head like this because past breaches were hushed up.
a verdict has been reached, but no one seems to have any idea of how the aftermath should unfold.
Saracens have circled the wagons effectively. their collective spirit of defiance was there for all to see in Saturday’s win at gloucester.
they are a club awash with fine players, many of them homegrown and all brilliantly coached. they are a beacon of sporting excellence in so many ways, but as it stands, they have been found guilty of cheating.
If the verdict is eventually upheld, it will leave a lasting stain. In the meantime, the accused and the accusers need to know where they stand.
the culture of hiding away and covering up won’t suffice this time. Everyone with an interest in the sport here is waiting for leadership, clarity and transparency. over to you, PRl.