• Chief executive says decision will be announed this month• ‘There is damage to the brand’, admits Edward Griffiths
Saracens are set to announce this month whether they will be forced to release players or reduce wages after being penalised for breaking the Premiership salary cap over the past three seasons. The club’s returning chief executive, Edward Griffiths, said he is keen “to demonstrate compliance as soon as possible” in order to show the English champions are operating legally this season.
Griffiths, who has returned to Saracens after a five-year absence, is now leading the clean-up operation in the wake of Nigel Wray’s decision to step down as chairman following the club’s 35-point deduction and record £5.3m penalty. That fine has now been reallocated among the other 12 Premiership shareholders, with rivals Exeter Chiefs announcing they would be donating their £350,000 share to charity.