ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
REGISTER
LOGIN
ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
Tuesday Dec 28, 2021

Leicester Tigers under investigation for image rights payments

Leicester have confirmed that they are cooperating with a Premiership Rugby investigation into historic image rights payments.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tigers have met with representatives from the umbrella organisation for the Gallagher Premiership to discuss the potential breach of salary cap regulations.

The league leaders have responded to a report stating that salary cap director Andrew Rogers is looking into their association with a company called Worldwide Image Management (WIM).

“Leicester are aware of allegations made against the club regarding historic image rights payments,” a Tigers statement read.

“The club is co-operating with Premiership Rugby, who are looking into the historic matter, and has met with representatives from Premiership Rugby to discuss the claims.

“Leicester will make no further comment while the matter remains ongoing.”

WIM was shut down in February but it is claimed that it previously made payments to Leicester players.

ADVERTISEMENT

Rogers’ investigation will look to clarify whether the payments constituted an increase in individual salaries, thereby breaking the salary cap.

The development comes in the season that Saracens returned to the Premiership after a year spent in the second tier of English rugby as punishment for repeated salary cap breaches.

“The agreed policy is that we will never confirm nor deny if there is or is not an investigation under way,” a Premiership Rugby spokesperson said.

“The salary cap director is continually looking at matters relating to the salary cap and it would be inappropriate, and could potentially undermine an investigation, if we were to confirm anything.

ADVERTISEMENT

“However, if the salary cap director concludes that a breach has occurred, he shall charge the club (and/or player, club official, agent) and this charge shall be made public.”

English rugby will be hoping Leicester are not engulfed in the type of salary cap scandal that disgraced Saracens.

The Tigers have rebuilt under head coach Steve Borthwick and have won all 12 games played this season, establishing an eight-point lead at the summit of the Premiership and placing one foot in the knockout phase of the Heineken Champions Cup.

But if any wrongdoing is found, that progress could be derailed by the type of sanctions imposed on Saracens almost two years ago.

The north London club were deducted a total of 105 points to ensure their relegation for the 2020-21 campaign and fined £5.36million.

Rogers found that they exceeded the salary cap by in excess of £2million across the 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons through the use of contributions to property co-investments with players, image rights deals and hospitality payments.

The investigation found that some of the 2018-19 overspend was based on the valuation of the image rights payment to a player.

Leicester picked up a dramatic last-ditch 28-26 win over Bristol Bears this past weekend.

Comments




Related Articles

  • 70 WEEKS AGO

    Ellis Genge puts on his boxing gloves ready...

  • 70 WEEKS AGO

    Crazy scenes as player deliberately kicks...

  • 70 WEEKS AGO

    RFU make decision on transgender players...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Seriously impressive Courtney Lawes compilation released after England player calls time on international career

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Fiji number eight Viliame 'Bill' Mata scores audacious try

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Wild scenes in Toulouse as Portugal seal last gasp comeback win over Fiji

  • 13 WEEKS AGO

    South African schoolboy produces the greatest goosey in the sport

  • 14 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible team try showcases thrills of the grassroots game

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Streaker causes major bust up as he tackles player

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Monster hit from Perrin leaves Bristol Bears player stunned

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Posolo Tuilagi's massive tackle lights up Top 14

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Theo Dan in the centre of 'punch' storm as possible infringement missed

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Seriously impressive Courtney Lawes compilation released after England player calls time on international career

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Compilation video shows Jamie George's surprising box of tricks

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Eddie Jones reported to have negotiated return to Japan national side

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Rees Zammit hits Olympic level as 100m sprint time is officially finally released

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Shocking record set to be broken at this year’s World Cup

  • 14 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible team try showcases thrills of the grassroots game

View All

Funnies

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Streaker causes major bust up as he tackles player

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Luke Cowan-Dickie left red faced after losing very costly bet

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Mack Hansen proves once again that he is a hero in Ireland

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Irish players brilliantly take the p*** out of Sexton on plane intercom

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Brilliant video of Andy Farrell readying the Irish troops for battle

View All

Amateur

  • 46 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 47 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 70 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 70 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 70 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 20 HOURS AGO

    James Haskell shares thoughts on 'best mate' Owen Farrell

  • 1 DAY AGO

    The key change Steve Borthwick has made to England squad selection

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Siya Kolisi opens up about stabbing incident in powerful interview with Dan Biggar

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    BREAKING: Owen Farrell to step away from England duties entirely

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Community mourning loss of 29-year-old rugby player Melita Williams

View All