Guinness Premiership
Premier Rugby step into Tonga'uhia row
Scrum.com
April 2, 2010
Premier Rugby will look for written submissions from both clubs over the disputed transfer of Soane Tonga'uiha
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Premier Rugby have stepped into the deepening row between title rivals Saracens and Northampton Saints over the on-off transfer of prop Soane Tonga'uiha. The Tongan loose-head has signed a new three-year contract with Northampton in a move that has infuriated Saracens, the club he was due to join at the end of the season. There will be a mediation meeting next week to resolve the dispute which is becoming more heated with Saracens chief executive Edward Griffiths yesterday branding the Saints "April fools". Griffiths stated that the player was obligated to join the club next season. His signing was announced in January, along with that of former England tight-head Matt Stevens, but his current club have maintained that no contract was signed, only a heads of terms agreement. The Saints have informed Premier Rugby and the Rugby Players' Association of their concerns and the umbrella organisation of the twelve Premiership clubs have asked for written reports from both clubs outlining their positions in the matter ahead of a mediation meeting next week. Griffiths said he hoped for a "swift resolution" at the meeting, as he underlined Saracens' position. "This situation remains remarkably uncomplicated," he said. "Soane and Saracens have signed a legal document, and the opening clause reads... 'this document is drawn up to show the terms that have been agreed by the Club and the Player and is legally binding'. "I am not sure what part of that is unclear. Today (yesterday) - April Fool's Day - Northampton have announced they have signed a new contract with Soane. This contract is illegal and irrelevant. The sad reality is that a proud Premiership club has brought our game into disrepute. "They have shown complete contempt for legality, justice and integrity and have made themselves look like the ultimate April fools. We must now decide whether we operate a league where signed agreements mean something and are respected, or whether we have chaos." The Saints are rejecting the criticism from the London club and their chief executive Allan Robson yesterday defended his club. "Saracens are obviously disappointed that Soane will not be joining them next season after all," he said yesterday. "However, their criticism of the player and Saints is totally without merit. Soane had strong personal reasons for his change of heart. Once he had made this known to us and he was able to confirm that in fact he had not signed a contract with Saracens and was free to sign with Saints we did not hesitate to offer him a deal to keep him at Saints for the next three seasons." © Scrum.com
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