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Rugby League

Clubs punished over salary cap

12/07/2007

Rugby league giants Bradford Bulls and St Helens have today received punishment for infringing a salary cap.

St Helens did not lose any points for their infringement but were fined £22,000 at Rugby League headquarters in Red Hall, Leeds.

Receiving a stiffer punishment for their breach of the rules Bradford received a two-point deduction, a penalty which has come into immediate effect. Both clubs were also ordered to pay costs.

Bradford chairman Peter Hood said he considered the punishment was "appropriate having regard to all the circumstances".

Some £4,000 of the total fine handed to St Helens had been held over from last year, when the club was also fined for overspending on player wages.

The latest infringement at St Helens is believed to relate to bonuses given to Ade Gardner and James Graham when they made their Great Britain debuts last season.

Super League rules stipulate that clubs are permitted to spend no more than 50 per cent of their annual income, up to £1.7 million on player salaries.

In the preliminary hearing, the clubs managed to have their maximum punishments placed in line with rules relating to the 2006 season, despite the clubs having since agreed to double the maximum punishment to 12 points.

While the Saints and Bradford have had their full hearings heard this evening, Wigan will be facing the panel next week for a similar offence.

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