It just gets worse for Saracens

[loretta]

EPC bottled it if so

It is so

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/51415778

[CJ]

Confirmed on the BBC sport web site. Bottled it imho

[fentiger]

Racing reported earlier as asking for points deduction plus some added to their total etc. Apparently there is a precedent?

[loretta]

Glasgow are going to be soooooo peed off.

[fleabane]

Quite possible the French will appeal.

[BigDan50]

Very sad news for Saracens for a unintentional mistake, sad news for their supporters, sad news for the rugby family also some very sad posters on here

[JP14]

Giving that Lamositele’s permit expired on the day of playing, the likelihood of admin error in this instance is likely and the fine is just in my opinion.

[sapajo]

Very sad news for Saracens for a unintentional mistake, sad news for their supporters, sad news for the rugby family also some very sad posters on here

Rules are rules designed to ensure a level playing field. Intentional or unintentional, it matters not, the fact is Saracens broke the rules.

[TigerS2]

EPC bottled it if so

Yes.

[Traveller]

Giving that Lamositele’s permit expired on the day of playing, the likelihood of admin error in this instance is likely and the fine is just in my opinion.

Agreed. As a long term critic of Saracens reference salary cap. I don't think there is any suggestion they have manipulated player registrations etc this last decade.

I don't think a proportionate punishment was expulsion from the competition (given the specifics of the error). It is an administrative error, and the club was probably distracted by bigger stuff that week.

As a general principle (not this specific example) I think points deductions - even a single point deduction - is a better remedy rather than financial penalties. Clubs don't like losing money. They hate losing points.

[RichieB]

If it was an oversight, human error then pay the fine and move on. You'd think it wasn't beyond the wit of man to put a diary note in a month before the visa expires though!

[Chobbsy]

If it was an oversight, human error then pay the fine and move on. You'd think it wasn't beyond the wit of man to put a diary note in a month before the visa expires though!

I wonder if they had bigger things to worry about at the time?

[CitizenSmiff]

A fine means nothing to them with Nigel's pocket money to play with, especially when half of it is suspended. Grenoble were docked 4 points for the same oversight, don't see how this is any different.

[Noggs]

Perhaps the bigger question is why Saracens are still allowed to compete in the competition considering that their Premiership qualification position was achieved whilst cheating

[nasher]

Other clubs committing the same offence had points deducted why not Saracens. They cheated their way to the final, fielded a an ineligible player why a different punishment?