Nigel Wray receives unlikely backing of comedy legend

Saracens have endured one of the worst weeks off the field in living memory as they were handed a £5.36m fine by Premiership Rugby last Tuesday.

The three-time Champions Cup winners were also deducted 35 points in the Gallagher Premiership, after failing to disclose player payments over the past three years.

They have lodged an appeal, which means the deduction has been withheld for the time being, but chairman Nigel Wray has come under heavy scrutiny for the investments that he has made with various players in the team and companies set up in their name.

Wray has since highlighted in a statement that Premiership Rugby have acknowledged that Saracens did not intentionally seek to breach the salary cap, and has also made the distinction clear between a salary and an investment.

This is what he said in a statement last week: “It has been acknowledged by the Panel that we never deliberately sought to mislead anyone or breach the cap and that’s why it feels like the rug is being completely pulled out from under our feet.”

Saracens Chairman Nigel Wray has given his reaction to the verdict of the Disciplinary Panel. #TogetherSaracens pic.twitter.com/djyoSaJP6g

— Saracens Rugby Club (@Saracens) November 6, 2019

Since then, Wray has received the backing from Monty Python member, and his cousin. Eric Idle. The comedy legend described Wray as the “most honourable man I know,” as well as “philanthropic, kind, generous” and emphasised that he has been pivotal in the “popularizing of rugby generally.”

Nigel Wray is my first cousin and the most honourable man I know. He is philanthropic, kind, generous and has done a brilliant job with Saracens which has resulted in the popularizing of rugby generally.
I totally support him.
?@Saracens? https://t.co/cHXBG8e6lS

— Eric Idle (@EricIdle) November 9, 2019

Idle is not the first person to come out and support the way that Saracens is run, as the five-time Premiership winners are well known for the support in the local community, which includes founding a school. Additionally, the club have helped set up a number of businesses for the players to provide a life after rugby.

However, despite these endorsements, the reigning Premiership champions have still come under fire from chairmen, coaches and players and are much maligned for what has been deemed cheating, and they may struggle to shake that reputation.

Although there may be troubles behind the scenes, it was business as usual for the players last Saturday, as they overcame Gloucester 21-12 at Kingsholm amidst a hostile reception.