Disciplinary: Sale Sharks

A case involving Sale Sharks was heard on papers last night by an independent disciplinary panel chaired by Philip Evans QC with Rob Vickerman.

It relates to the Premiership Cup match that took place on 19 March between Sale Sharks and Wasps. 
 
Sale Sharks included Alex Groves in its match squad, and he had previously represented Bristol Bears on 20.11.21 in the Premiership Rugby Cup in breach of the Premiership Rugby Cup Regulations, paragraph 6.3 - A club may not be represented in the competition by any person who has played or been a replacement or substitute (i.e. included in the match squad) for another club in the competition in the current season.

The club accepted a charge and received a five point deduction, applicable for this season.  

Panel chair, Philip Evans QC said: “Sale Sharks RFC came before an RFU Disciplinary Panel charged with a regulatory breach, which resulted from their inclusion of an ineligible player in the match squad for the Premiership Rugby Cup match against Wasps.

"The club indicated in advance of the hearing that it accepted the charge. The matter was then decided by the disciplinary panel on the basis of written submissions it had received, the club choosing not to exercise its right to an oral hearing. 

"The RFU submitted the appropriate sanction for this breach would be a 5-point deduction because that would be in line with the minimum sanction that would be applied in other RFU competitions in the event that ineligible players are named in match squads.  

"Sale sharks did not advance any alternative submissions and the panel agreed with the RFU’s reasoning. The sanction imposed will be a 5-point deduction from Sales Sharks in this competition.”