Saracens have been fined an undisclosed amount for failing to attend the launch of the 2019-20 European Champions Cup.

Saracens’ latest fine, handed down by the EPRC – governing body of the Champions Cup – comes after the club breached the participation agreement by failing to send representatives to the competition’s launch two weeks ago.

As the defending Champions Cup title holders, Saracens’ coach Mark McCall and captain Brad Barritt were expected to attend, but neither showed up for the tournament’s main promotional event, which was held a day after the club had been found guilty of breaching the Premiership’s salary cap.

‘Having previously indicated they would be represented at the event, Saracens’ failure to attend constituted a breach of the 2019-20 Champions Cup media rules,’ the EPCR said in a statement.

‘EPCR appreciates the subsequent efforts made by Saracens to grant rights-holding broadcasters special interview access to members of their squad in the week before the start of the tournament.’

Saracens were fined €5,000 (R8,200) for a similar European breach in 2010 when Steve Borthwick, then the club’s captain, failed to attend the competition launch in Cardiff and instead was ordered by his club to attend a team-bonding trip to the Oktoberfest in Munich.

Last week, Sarries were docked 35 English Premiership log points and fined £5.36 million after an inquiry into business partnerships between owner Nigel Wray and some of their players.

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