Premiership Rugby vs. Saracens Rugby Club

We acted as an economic expert for Premiership Rugby in its dispute with Saracens Rugby club, which claimed that the league’s salary cap rules infringed competition law. Saracens had been found to be in breach of financial fair play rules and the governing body imposed an unprecedented 35-point penalty, effectively condemning the long-standing top-flight club to demotion to a lower league. The dispute involved a detailed examination of the consistency of financial fair play rules with competition law, and our expert produced reports and testimony on the likely economic effects of the rules on sports markets like rugby. Our expert’s report addressed issues concerning market definition, as well as the likely economic effects of the salary cap for competitive balance and financial viability.

A specialist sports arbitration panel found in favour of Premiership Rugby and the point penalty was upheld.