Saracens WILL be relegated at the end of the 2019-20 season over breach of salary cap – The Sun

SARACENS will be relegated at the end of the 2019-20 season after they breached salary cap restrictions.

The European kings, already hit by a 35-point deduction and £5.3million fine in November, are set to bust the £7m cap again this season – for the fourth year running.

Now they will spend the 2020-21 season in the Championship after Premiership Rugby confirmed their fate.

A statement read: "Premiership Rugby confirms that Saracens Rugby Club will be relegated from the Premiership at the end of the 2019-2020 season.

"This action follows the conclusion of dialogue between Premiership Rugby and Saracens over the club’s compliance with the Salary Cap Regulations, which began in November 2019 after the club received a sanction in respect of breaches in past seasons."

STRONG ACTION

Darren Childs, chief executive of Premiership Rugby, added: "[We are] prepared to take strong action to enforce the regulations governing fair competition between our clubs.

"At the conclusion of dialogue with Saracens about their compliance with the Salary Cap Regulations, it has been decided that Saracens will be relegated at the end of this season.

"At the same as enforcing the existing regulations, we want to ensure a level playing field for all clubs in the future, which is why we have asked Lord Myners to carry out an independently-led review of the Salary Cap.

"As part of this process, we will soon be announcing an open consultation so that everyone involved in the game has the opportunity to contribute to its future.

"The actions that we have taken – dealing with breaches of the current regulations and reviewing the system for the future – will help us to build a stronger league and uphold the confidence of supporters."

Meanwhile, Saracens chairman Neil Golding, said: "As the new Chairman of Saracens I acknowledge the club has made errors in the past and we unreservedly apologise for those mistakes.

"I and the rest of the Board are committed to overseeing stringent new governance measures to ensure regulatory compliance going forward."

There could now be a major cull of top stars, with the futures of players like England skipper Owen Farrell, Maro Itoje, Billy and Mako Vunipola, Jamie George and Elliot Daly at risk.

But Farrell reassured his team-mates, saying he won't leave the club despite the impending doom.

On Sunday shellshocked Saracens have to pick themselves up for a Champions Cup shootout against Racing 92 – just 48 hours after being told they will be relegated.

However, even if they manage to rise from the ashes and win Europe four a fourth time, they will not be back in the Champions Cup for at least two seasons.

Sarries lost their first Euro game this season at the home of their Paris rivals, but are unbeaten in their last seven in this competition at home.

Mark McCall's dogged side always finish strong too, chalking up wins in every pool game they have played since 2015 before going on to win the competition in three of the last four seasons.

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