As a Sarries fan it's obviously disappointing. But, pending the results of the appeal, a breach of the rules deserves a punishment and Premiership Rugby have decided to send a message - fair enough. Assuming everything sticks it clearly taints the ***les and success we've enjoyed during the breach period.
There are a number of things that have been said here that I find to be inaccurate or ill-informed though. Whilst I won't make excuses, I do think that the following points should be considered:
- The breach is entirely focused on co-investments. These co-investments were not in lieu of salary - of course they will have acted as a perk/top-up, but it's not like Owen Farrell was getting paid massively under market e.g. a £20k salary and then a huge bonus under the table. Assuming the appeal fails, it is still cheating of course, but I think it's important to contextualise.
- The players involved in the co-investment schemes were all England internationals and mostly came through the Academy or if not, at least played their best rugby whilst supported by the club. (so claims that all of this is about bringing in Will Skelton, Williams or other foreign stars is mostly incorrect).
- Saracens have generated more England players and Coaches than any other Club in the last decade. The style of play, mentality and work ethic clearly translated to the national team through coaches and leading players with great effect. I wonder how different the coverage would be had we won the World Cup with Maro, Mako, Billy, Jamie, Owen, Ben & George all playing significant roles...
As a wider thought on the salary cap in general, I personally think that a club shouldn't be forced to dispense with players that it has developed simply because they have become proven internationals. I would like to see Academy credits extended and greater cap allowances for English internationals. Otherwise, a club like Saracens who loses a huge amount of players to international duty is forced to choose between getting rid of their England players and replacing them with retired internationals/foreign imports or struggling to compete during international windows, which in turn results in worse results and less club success/revenue.
By no means do I condone the breach of the salary cap, regardless of what other clubs may or may not do, nor will I whinge if we are relegated as a result of the punishment or through losing players. However, I do worry about the impact that this will have on the national team and I do think it's a shame that the club who have proven to be the best at identifying and developing world class talent in recent years, the best at managing players and their families (outside of salary cap related things e.g. The Saracens Creche, the team events and trips, the career support and management courses, support of multiple foundations) and created one of the best team ethos's as a result, is now being torn apart (to the obvious glee of many other fans on here and elsewhere).
Cheating is wrong and should be punished, no argument from me there and we should take our medicine. But anyone who makes out that this is only a good thing for English Rugby is sadly misguided.
