Fined.

Saracens have been hit with yet another fine following Premiership Rugby’s decision to hit them with a record fine in excess of £5 million this month, along with a 35-point deduction for breaching the salary cap.

But it’s the EPCR who have sanctioned them this time for not sending representatives for the launch of the Champions Cup last month.

Each club is required to send their head coach and captain (where available) every season, but with the event coming not long after the story broke about their salary cap punishment – Saracens opted to lay low and not send anyone to Cardiff.

In a statement released today, EPCR said Saracens have accepted that they breached the participation agreement and have been fined an undisclosed amount. They did, however, acknowledge their subsequent efforts to grant “rights-holding broadcasters special interview access” ahead of their opening game

“Saracens have accepted that they breached the 2019/20 Heineken Champions Cup Participation Agreement by not making the required club representatives available for a key EPCR promotional event,” an EPCR statement read.

“On Wednesday, 6 November 2019, Saracens’ Director of Rugby, Mark McCall, and captain, Brad Barritt, did not attend the official Season Launch of the 2019/20 Heineken Champions Cup and Challenge Cup for Premiership and PRO14 clubs which was being staged at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

“Having previously indicated that they would be represented at the event, Saracens’ failure to attend constituted a breach of the 2019/20 Heineken Champions Cup Media Rules, and compromised EPCR’s ability to deliver the rights contracted to its broadcast, commercial and media partners.

“In light of this breach of its rules, EPCR has decided to impose a fine on Saracens which has been paid by the club, and the sum of which will remain undisclosed.

“EPCR appreciates the subsequent efforts made by Saracens to grant rights-holding broadcasters special interview access to members of their Heineken Champions Cup squad in the week before the start of the tournament.”