Bath fined £60,000 after releasing Taulupe Faletau for Wales duty
Wales' fourth autumn Test fell outside World Rugby's official release window, but Bath released Faletau for the 24-22 victory in Cardiff on 2 December
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Bath have been fined £60,000 for allowing Taulupe Faletau to feature in Wales' autumn international clash with South Africa.
Wales' fourth autumn Test fell outside World Rugby's official release window, but Bath released Faletau for the 24-22 victory in Cardiff on 2 December.
Bath admitted breaching Premiership Rugby regulations, and an initial £90,000 fine was reduced by £30,000.
Premiership Rugby defended their policy of enforcing sanctions for clubs flouting the rulings, in confirming Bath's acceptance of punishment.
"This board policy has been an essential one, especially as there has been an increasing number of international matches being organised outside the specified international weeks," said a Premiership Rugby spokesman.
"The agreed policy is well known to clubs, players and unions."
Bath have duly become the second Premiership club to fall foul of releasing players outside of World Rugby's agreed autumn Test window.
Northampton Saints were sanctioned in 2013 for releasing George North to feature for Wales.
"Bath Rugby have today been fined £60,000 after admitting breaching Premiership Rugby Board policies," read a Premiership Rugby statement.
"The sanction was imposed under an independent process managed by Sport Resolutions.
"It relates to the Premiership Rugby Board policy around international duty and specifically Taulupe Faletau being released for a fourth international outside the periods specified in World Rugby Regulation 9.
"The policy is only to release non-England players for Tests matches in accordance with the requirements of World Rugby Regulation 9.
"Bath Rugby's full co-operation with the process was acknowledged and, in mitigation, it was decided to reduce the initial £90,000 sanction to £60,000, a figure that covers the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons."
Bath insisted they had expected the English league's regulation to be lifted in time to allow Faletau to be released without issue for Wales' South Africa encounter.
And chief executive Tarquin McDonald pledged that Bath will continue to agitate for the rule to be amended in the future.
"We understand Premiership Rugby's position on this, and have subsequently worked proactively with them to swiftly achieve a fair resolution," said McDonald.
"We believed this situation would change, that has not yet happened and we have therefore come to an appropriate settlement with Premiership Rugby.
"However, we continue to believe that there is appetite for change and that this on-going conflict between the club and international calendars is not good for players, clubs or unions.
"We continue to support the objective of a solution for the separation of club and international calendars in a way which benefits players, clubs and unions, and brings an end to situations such as this."
PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments