Fans were outraged online when they found out the punishment handed to Leicester Tigers.
Following the conclusion of the 2019/20 season, Premiership side Saracens were automatically relegated from the competition for breach of salary cap. They joined the championship in 2021 and eventually rejoined the premiership for the start of the 2021/22 season. Saracens were judged to have gone over the salary cap three times in a row. The overspend was more than £1.1 million in 2016-17, little over £98,000 in 2017-18, and £906,000 in 2018-19.
Saracens had won the premiership in four of the previous five seasons prior to their relegation. They had also initially been docked 35 league points as well as being fined £5.3 million. This was unheard of punishment in the sport as a consequence of breaching the league’s salary cap.
Yesterday the news broke that current league leaders Leicester Tigers, were also found to have breached the league’s salary cap. In a statement released by the club, an investigation was made into the club’s compliance with the salary cap over five seasons. The investigation looked into the 2016/17 season, right up to the 2020/21 season.
The club has been fined over £300,000 by the league and has avoided a points deduction, unlike Saracens had done before them. This is the second largest salary cap punishment in the league’s history. Some fans were not at all happy with the punishment.
The difference in punishment between Saracens and Tigers is ridiculous
— Long Ball Merchant (@LongBall442) March 15, 2022
What a joke, no points deduction for Leicester Tigers even though they broke the salary cap #Nonstick #cheats #salarycap #Leicestertigers pic.twitter.com/lfPtmZUxV1
— Griff (@shropshiregriff) March 15, 2022
I think you are missing the point that cheating is cheating regardless of value. Tigers clearly deliberately did this over a number of years and more importantly said nothing when Saracens were being investigated.
It's the deliberate act that should count here— Steve Hodgson (@SteveHodgson16) March 15, 2022
The verdict is nonsense we all know that. You need to be punished properly and that means you don't win anything. Plus where is your apology?
— Nicholas Jones (@Nichola85894596) March 15, 2022
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