Sports Ticker 5 – Saracens, W Series and Speedrunning

Welcome to the fifth edition of the RPC Sports Ticker - providing fortnightly bite-size updates from the sports industry.

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We have been in the media in recent weeks commenting on Saracens' salary cap issues, and we were asked again to provide comment to Sky News as reports came in that Saracens faced relegation from the Gallagher Premiership.  

We cover the latest in the ever changing position on Saracens below, and also discuss stories involving the exciting W Series,  the EFL's charges against Derby County FC, UKAD's position on releasing test samples, and how "speedrunning" might get you involved in eSports.

As always, if there are any areas you'd like more information on (or if you have any questions or feedback), please contact us or your usual RPC contact.

1. Saracens Salary Cap Saga Report Published

In a fortnight dominated by Saracens and the PRL salary cap rules, the decision of Lord Dyson and the Disciplinary Panel, which found against Saracens, has been published. 

2. W Series accelerating to new levels

The W Series is the all-female single seater motorsport series which was set up in 2019 with the intention of raising the profile of motorsport among women, providing more opportunities for female drivers in Formula 1.

3. Rams to defend EFL charges around profit and sustainability

Derby County FC have been charged by the EFL for alleged breaches of the Profit & Sustainability rules..

4. UKAD holding firm: no Farah samples to be released to WADA

The UK Anti-Doping Agency (UKAD) have released a statement that they have not "refused any request from WADA" and that they are "happy to assist any anti-doping organisation".

5. Life in the fast lane - bringing lapsed gamers back to the virtual world

Ever heard of "speedrunning"? It's a phenomenon where a player attempts to complete a whole video game as quickly as possible, typically filming the feats, sharing them online and challenging others.

Extra time...

Looking at football and rugby club company accounts can reveal more than you may think, and is a great way to delve deeper into club news that is (or is not) referred to in press conferences. Take the above story regarding Derby County FC where certain allegations relating to the amortisation and accounting treatment of losses will focus on the company accounts. Some of the Saracens salary cap issues were uncovered from investigative journalism of the club's publicly available accounts. Of interest then, is that Chelsea FC's latest accounts revealed the full cost of dismissing former coach Antonio Conte and his backroom staff at £26.6 million. Widely regarded as the most expensive sacking in the history of the English game, this information was only revealed because it was included in the accounts filed at Companies House.