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Fans' message to Premiership Rugby: Audit all the clubs now, not just Saracens
By Josh Raisey
Despite accepting their £5.36million fine and a 35-point deduction in the Gallagher Premiership, Saracens’ problems do not seem over.
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This comes after The Times newspaper revealed that the reigning English and European champions could be subjected to a mid-season audit by Premiership Rugby.
That audit is something RugbyPass has since learned the club are willing to allow happen, voluntarily open its doors to official scrutiny.
It is expected that Premiership Rugby Ltd, the umbrella organisation for England’s top flight, will be given the chance to ‘view the books’ through their official auditors.
Saracens were punished for failing to disclose player payments over the past three seasons which related to co-investments between players and chairman Nigel Wray.
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The club have now insisted they are complying with salary cap regulations this season, but many fans have reacted by insisting that the rest of the clubs in the Premiership should also be audited in the name of fairness.
And obviously Prem rugby should be required to publish the full decision before requiring ALL clubs to have their books looked at mid season
— sussexfox (@sussexfox1) November 26, 2019
If you want a level open and fair system then ALL clubs need to inspected to the degree of saracens
— Russell Harris (@sarriefan_uk) November 26, 2019
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Quite right too but in the interest of fair play this should be applied to all clubs. If nothing else it will put down a marker.
— Mark Fletcher #Sunak Out (@MarkFletch117) November 26, 2019
These are obviously mitigating circumstances, which is why Saracens have been singled out, but regardless of what they have been accused of doing, some feel that it is unfair that they are the only side that are forced to be transparent.
Furthermore, with a number of sides chastising the three-time Champions Cup winners for what they have done, they will surely feel they have nothing to hide.
I can see the logic behind this. But it must cut both ways. For the sake of fairness, all clubs should do the same. More importantly, PRL need to show some backbone and start to enforce some discipline. This is turning into a lynching with mob justice to the fore.
— GavtheSalaryCap (@GavtheSarrie) November 26, 2019
A mid season audit would have to include all clubs surely. That would be grossly unfair on Sarries to single them out
— Tony Walker (@tonywalks_1965) November 26, 2019
Of course, many have been keen to retort that no other club has been punished or even investigated for eight months regarding salary cap breaches.
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It is for that reason why Sarries should be the only team that are forced into this position. That point is valid, but it has not stopped many people demanding the same treatment for all teams across England.
https://twitter.com/d_r_ew/status/1199309721632747520?s=20
I assume that seeing as a 'level playing field' is what you all want so badly that all clubs will face the same? Or is it only level for one.
— ? Steve ??? (@saracen1971) November 26, 2019
If there's going to be an audit it should be on every club
— colin boag (@colinboag) November 26, 2019
Given their success in England and Europe over recent years and their impressive squad depth, questions had always lingered over the London side.
However, while this salary cap investigation has been an eye-opening ordeal for them, many feel other teams should be scrutinised in the same way.
WATCH: Going Pro, the behind the scenes RugbyPass documentary with the Saracens women’s team
