Expo

Full Rugby Expo Access for Agent Seminar Delegates

https://www.mominleggings.com/ymzy18ec Rugby Expo has renewed its partnership with the Association of Rugby Agents (ARA), which will see the annual agents seminar delivered by the RFU held at Twickenham on day one of Rugby Expo 2015. This means that all registered agents and wider stakeholders responsible for the management and wellbeing of professional rugby players will be attending Rugby Expo and will be given full access to both days of the event.

The Agents Seminar will take place at Twickenham Stadium on the morning of Thursday 26th November, as agents, clubs, and representatives from the RFU, PRL and RPA gather to discuss topical issues, regulatory changes, industry developments and updates that affect agents, clubs and players alike.

Cheap Tramadol Online Cod Commenting on today’s announcement, Jonathan Wilson, Rugby Expo event director, said: “We are delighted to renew our partnership with the ARA; the annual seminar is a key date in the organisation’s calendar and is attended by all registered agents and board members as well as other rugby stakeholders.

https://fotballsonen.com/2024/03/07/4ylhp22r7i “This will be the second year that Rugby Expo will have all registered players’ agents in attendance and the opportunity for our event’s exhibitors and delegates to meet and engage with the individuals and companies that work closely with the sport’s professionals and is another reason why Rugby Expo maintains its position as the meeting place for those in the sport of club rugby.”

Rob Andrew, professional rugby director at the RFU, said: “Holding the Agents Seminar as part of the wider Rugby Expo event for the second year running is a great way to enable agents, clubs, rugby stakeholders and the RFU to meet and discuss important topical issues in a forum designed to focus on the business and development of rugby. Education, communication and awareness of important issues affecting rugby is key to the success of our sport and the presence of the Agents Seminar at Rugby Expo provides a great forum for facilitating this”.

Mark Spoors, ARA chairman, added: “We had fantastic feedback from our members following last year’s Agents Seminar at Rugby Expo so it is great to be able to confirm our partnership with the 2015 event. By having access to Rugby Expo, our members are provided with a wealth of information and contacts within rugby and the wider sports industry and it is a fantastic way for us to help to maximise their ARA membership further.”

Tramadol Purchase Canada For more information on Rugby Expo click below

https://www.goedkoopvliegen.nl/uncategorized/i48kwa72mx http://www.rugbyexpo.com/

Top Ten Earners in Rugby Union

https://worthcompare.com/he8824zm The Association of Accounting Technicians have published a list of who they believe to be the current top 10 best paid players in rugby union, with Dan Carter reportedly set to earn more than double at Racing 92 what Leigh Halfpenny takes home at Toulon.
While useful as a comparative guide, the report does not divulge whether the figures are from an official source, whether they include international earnings and off-field income as well as club salary or to which specific time period they refer to.
Carter’s value is based mainly on his reported future earnings at Paris club Racing, whereas Jonathan Sexton and Jamie Roberts’ values seem to sit between two clubs.
The full top 10 is listed below and gives an indication of the rising salaries of players in rugby union but a quick comparison shows that it would take even Carter as long as 24 years to earn what Cristiano Ronaldo earns in a single year (a reported £33.8m).
Nine of the top 10 are, or were until recently, based in France’s Top 14, which may be representative of the differing approach that the media and clubs have in covering player salaries there. The only exception being rugby league convert Sam Burgess. The England international and former NRL star is thought to be earning £500,000 with Bath in the Aviva Premiership.

Player Club Annual Earnings
Dan Carter Racing 92/Crusaders £1,400,000
Matt Giteau Toulon £900,000
Leigh Halfpenny Toulon £600,000
Sam Burgess Bath £500,000
Jonathan Sexton Leinster/Racing 92 £494,000
Bryan Habana Toulon £474,000
Morgan Parra Clermont £436,000
Thierry Dusautoir Toulouse £408,120
Bakkies Botha Toulon £389,000
Jamie Roberts Harlequins/Racing 92 £380,000

https://musiciselementary.com/2024/03/07/rfdtuk7qu8  

AP Salary Cap Investigation To Be “Swept Under The Carpet”

The Rugby Paper (8th Septmber) has predicted that Premiership Rugby will brush their nine-month salary cap investigation under the carpet this week and refuse to take any action against Bath and Saracens , who have been alleged to have broken the regulations.

Both clubs have been under investigation since last December for allegedly breaching the cap, which has been raised to £5.5m for the forthcoming season.

https://www.goedkoopvliegen.nl/uncategorized/t0zpf1a2bf A report into the investigation was due to be presented to clubs last season. However, it was then postponed until June and then pushed back even further. It will finally get discussed when Premier Rugby stakeholders get together for their annual pre-season meeting this week, the publication reported.

https://giannifava.org/cd9htli9o For action to be taken against both clubs it would need a 100 per cent agreement from the stakeholders. That reportedly won’t happen, however, with a well-placed source revealing to The Rugby Paper some of the deals that have been going on behind the scenes to gain support.

Click here to read full article

Agents Exploit Fijian Talent: “we are allowing the sharks to eat these kids alive!”

https://tankinz.com/zg9n1dlle A report into exploitation of Fijian talent appeared in the Daily Telegraph (September 9th) largely blaming unscrupulous agents and calling for an international accreditation system:

Fiji, who take on England in the opening World Cup match on Sept  18, have a long and proud tradition of producing the fastest fliers on the planet. Indeed, they are fast becoming a must-have accessory for every nation.

Tramadol Buying Online Other than Fiji, New Zealand (Waisake Naholo), Australia (Henry Speight) and France (Noa Nakaitaci) will field wings born on the Pacific Island in the World Cup. England might call up Semesa Rokoduguni if injury strikes, while Scotland tried to recruit Taqele Naiyaravoro for the next tournament, but lost out to Australia.

They are the success stories. Earning a professional contract and then an international call-up for their adopted nation is a pathway to riches almost unimaginable in Fiji, where the minimum wage is around £1.50 an hour.

https://worthcompare.com/5dsdebvp Yet for every player from Fiji, Samoa or Tonga who makes a better life for themselves and their families abroad, many more fall by the wayside and find themselves in serious difficulties. Every week, the International Rugby Players’ Association is contacted by a player in need of “desperate assistance” after being cut adrift by their club and abandoned by their agent who promised them the earth.

https://www.lcclub.co.uk/7d1oimkkt Click here to read full article

“All Bets Are Off” As Blake Case Sets RFU Precedent

http://countocram.com/2024/03/07/muwudza1y The RFU have recently circulated an email flyer entitled “All Bets Are Off” re-iterating their position on gambling and corruption as it relates to agents, players and coaches.

https://elisabethbell.com/gf2ut7z5wg8 Their tough stance on betting within the professional game – especially betting on rugby, playing to a pre-ordained outcome and/or passing on inside information – has been reinforced recently by the case of Phil Blake, a coach at Leicester Tigers.

Here are the details according to Sky Sports News at the time (25th June 2015): The defence coach Phil Blake has been handed a six-month ban by a Rugby Football Union disciplinary panel, having been found guilty of two breaches of RFU Regulation 17 (Anti-Corruption and Betting).

https://asperformance.com/uncategorized/amyvtbkqy The 51-year-old Australian was charged with betting on two matches, Leicester’s Champions Cup game against Toulon in December and the Premiership meeting with Newcastle in March.

The ban began on 24 May and will run until 24 November, and Blake was also fined £669 (the profit made on the bets placed).

Blake, who placed the bets on touch-screen self-service machines at Leicester’s Grosvenor Casino, told the disciplinary panel: “Having my whole career on the line for a minimum gain is something I will regret for the rest of my life.”

When initially informed of the RFU investigation, Blake had explained by letter: “I had no knowledge of the specific regulations relating to gambling under the jurisdiction of the RFU.

“I am, of course, aware that it is not appropriate, in most jurisdictions, to gamble against one’s own team, but I was not aware of the exact regulations that pertain in the UK.

“I saw some very favourable odds on Tigers to beat Newcastle and thought that there would be little harm arising from my betting on Tigers to win, as, obviously, it is my professional duty to try and do everything possible to ensure that Tigers did, in fact, win.

“I put the bet on against Toulon in very similar circumstances.

“No one could be more sorry than myself that this incident has taken place.”

RFU disciplinary panel chairman Christopher Quinlan said: “This is the first such case that we know of in rugby union and is certainly the first brought under the relatively new Regulation 17, so this is new ground.

“In arriving at the appropriate sanction, we have been careful to remind ourselves that we must not make an example of Phil Blake.

“We have imposed a sanction which we consider fair and proportionate to what he did, while having due regard to the proper consideration of deterrence.

“We have sought to strike a proper balance between the competing factors and arrive at a sanction we consider to be just.

“We must have regard to the wider interests of the game. It is important that those involved in the game and the wider public understand that any breach of the anti-corruption and betting regulations will and must be treated seriously.”

Blake had an appeal against the length of the ban dismissed and was ordered to pay costs in the sum of £500.

Antony Davies, who chaired the RFU Appeal Panel, said: “We find that the RFU Disciplinary Panel correctly applied its findings of fact arising from the evidence to the sanctioning process set out in the Regulations.

“We cannot find any fault with the Panel’s sanctioning process.  The offending clearly merited an immediate period of suspension.

“Six months was, in our view, well within a reasonable range and was not so excessive as to be unreasonable.”

Born in London, Blake joined Leicester in June 2014 on a one-year deal, which was not extended at the end of the campaign.

In the light of the former Manly coach’s ban, the club released a statement which read: “We acknowledge the decision of the disciplinary hearing in relation to the conduct of Phil Blake and the panel’s views on betting within professional sport.

“The club also fully endorses the governing body’s regard for the wider interests of the game in respect of any breaches of the anti-corruption and betting regulations.

“Phil Blake was under contract for the 2014/15 season and is no longer employed by Leicester Tigers.

“The club would, however, like to place on record, as it did during his time at Leicester, that he was a popular and valued member of the coaching team, and we hope he is fully able to return to the game in a suitable capacity at the end of the period laid down by the disciplinary hearing.”

See also:

Link to full version of Reg 17 Anti-Corruption and Betting on RFU website

Link to a legal analysis of the case on Liam Smith blog

Why DID Taulupe Faletau’s move to Bath fall through?

The convoluted story of Toby Faletau’s proposed move t0 Bath has been explained by Wales On-line’s Simon Thomas (see below and follow link) lat last month. It’s a sobering story of complications, technicalities and intrigue that would make an agents or a players blood run cold:

“It’s been one of the sagas of the summer, with more twists and turns than an episode of Strictly! Taulupe Faletau’s on-off move to Bath has been a transfer tale that has run and run, causing mass confusion along the way.

It’s provoked far more questions than answers and left the public puzzled and perplexed.

In an attempt to clarify the complexity, rugby correspondent Simon Thomas charts the events that have happened so far, looks at the key issues and explains why the Faletau case is so unique.”

Want the mist to clear over why the Wales No8’s proposed transfer from the Dragons to Bath fell through? Read this Q&A and, rest assured, it will.

https://ncmm.org/b3p67ha27 What’s the background to this whole saga?

Faletau has a year to run on his deal with the Dragons, who he has been with since 2009.
Midway through last season, he was offered the chance to transfer to a WRU National Dual Contract, but didn’t sign up by the deadline, much to the disappointment of Warren Gatland, so the offer was withdrawn.
At some point, Faletau became aware of interest from Bath and formally requested that he should be allowed to speak to them, which the Dragons agreed to. It became clear Bath wanted him.

https://giannifava.org/a6ltiywqasx Were the Dragons prepared to let him go?
Their starting point was they wanted him to stay with them. But when Bath came in, they were faced with having to make a prudent business decision.
If Faletau was likely to leave next year anyway, with them receiving nothing, might it be better for them to cash in now, especially as he is set to be away with Wales for much of next season?
As the player is contracted to the Gwent outfit, they would want compensation in return for releasing him early.
The word was they had slapped a £250,000 price tag on his head and that big-spending Bath were ready to pay a significant transfer fee to take him to The Rec after the World Cup. All the signs were that the Dragons were willing to let him go and take the money.
So why didn’t the deal go through weeks ago?
Before a region can sell a Wales player ahead of the end of his contract, they must receive approval from the WRU and the three other regions.
That is written into the Rugby Services Agreement – the hugely detailed peace deal drawn up between the Union and the regions last year.
If the Dragons were to sell Faletau without that joint blessing, they would be in breach of the RSA and run the risk of sanctions.
It’s Wales coach Warren Gatland who ultimately decides whether to grant WRU approval in such cases.
The peace deal between the WRU and regions saw the rules around Faletau’s switch drawn up
From the outset, he made it clear he would only do so if Faletau had full international release written into his Bath contract.
Speaking in June, Gatland said his understanding was that the player did have it. He also said that joining the west country club would not hamper the No 8’s Wales prospects.
His belief was, as the move would involve him being released early by the Dragons, Faletau would not fall foul of the WRU Senior Player Selection Policy – the so-called Gatland’s Law. So it looked like all systems go.
https://www.lcclub.co.uk/ioani9a How did the move run into trouble then?
It didn’t take long for the saga to take a couple of key twists and turns.
First, Premiership Rugby Ltd – the umbrella organisation for the top English clubs – insisted they would not sanction Bath handing Faletau full international release as it ran contrary to their policies.
They had previously fined Northampton £60,000 for granting George North full release and indicated that any further breaches would result in stiffer penalties.
They were sticking to their guns, raising inevitable doubt over whether Bath would be willing to break the rules and face the potential consequences.
Then, adding further to the mix, it emerged that Faletau would be captured by Gatland’s Law after all if he moved to The Rec.
That was the verdict reached following lengthy debate at a meeting of the Professional Regional Game Board, the body which features representative from both the WRU and regions.
The somewhat complex reasoning was if the 24-year-old moved to England with Gatland’s approval, the Dragons would then not be breaching the RSA.
Confused? Who wouldn’t be? But it did mean the ball was firmly back in Gatland’s court.
How has the Wales coach reacted?
He’s blocked the move. After the World Cup, Gatland will only be able to pick two wild cards – exiled players who are captured by the WRU selection policy.
There are already two players in that category – Harlequins recruit Jamie Roberts and the Bath-bound Rhys Priestland.
Allowing Faletau to leave would create an unwanted problem, as three into two doesn’t go. So Gatland is not about to grant permission.
Rhys Priestland and Jamie Roberts will be Gatland’s wildcards

https://www.worldhumorawards.org/uncategorized/f30ob64b0 Could the Dragons sell Faletau to Bath anyway?
They could, but then they would be opening themselves up to the possibility of sanctions, maybe in the form of financial penalties, which would kind of defeat the object. And speaking to them, they have no desire to go down the rebellion route in any case.

Could Faletau just walk out?
Well, he could offer to buy himself out of his contract, with Bath’s support, but the Dragons are under no obligation to accept that request and, as I’ve said, they are not about to defy Gatland by selling him.
Moreover, you couldn’t see Faletau looking to go down that road, given he knows the move now doesn’t have the blessing of the Wales coach.

Might Faletau go somewhere else other than Bath?
No. It’s pretty clear it’s either a case of him going to Bath or staying at Rodney Parade for another season.
He has been linked with the Blues, Scarlets and Northampton, but none of those are goers.
There would be no great incentive for the Dragons to let him go to another Welsh region – especially arch rivals Cardiff – as there would be no transfer fee involved.
Moreover, Faletau has apparently not expressed an interest in going anywhere else other than The Rec.

https://wasmorg.com/2024/03/07/30i15fsbv7 Why has Gatland blocked Faletau’s move but not taken the same stance over Roberts and Priestland?
Simple, because he can.
The fact that Faletau is under contract to a Welsh region means he can refuse permission for the Dragons to sell him and effectively stop the transfer happening.
Priestland was out of contract at the Scarlets and Roberts was a free agent too having been released by Racing Metro, so Gatland could not block their moves.
Why is it okay for Leigh Halfpenny, Jonathan Davies and Luke Charteris to play in France, but not okay for Faletau to play just down the road in Bath?
The French contingent are not impacted by Gatland’s Law as they moved abroad before it officially kicked into gear and, in the main, have full international release.
Faletau would be affected by the law and there remains the question of whether he would have had full release.

What will happen next year when Faletau comes out of contract?
It remains to be seen, but the likeliest option is he will move on to Bath, if they still want him.
Provided there is a counter offer on the table from either the WRU or a region, then he would be captured by Gatland’s Law if he leaves and have to become a wild card selection.
But Gatland’s wild cards increase to three from 2016-17 and the Lions No 8 would be odds on for one of those.

Cod Tramadol Online What’s the wider significance of the whole saga?
Well, it does mean that the much-criticised Gatland’s Law has actually prevented a player from leaving Wales.
It might well just be a temporary reprieve, but it does show it has a few teeth after all.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/taulupe-faletaus-move-bath-fall-9765980

New Tax Approach to UK Player Testimonials

An appraisal of the new situation by Anil Matharu and Sam Purkiss of Harbottle & Lewis

Player representatives, clubs and sports governing bodies have until 2 September 2015 to consult with HMRC to ensure that new plans to tax players on their income from testimonial matches and associated benefit events are fair and proportionate.
Where previously players would normally only pay income tax on testimonial monies received from their employer clubs, going forward all testimonials – including those run by independent testimonial committees on a player’s behalf – will give rise to an income tax liability. The proposed changes will affect anyone who is awarded a testimonial match or benefit event from 6 April 2016 onwards.
Current position
At the moment there is no specific UK income tax legislation that covers sports testimonials. HMRC guidance has long advised that any testimonial which is organised outside of the terms of a player’s employment contract and which is not part of a club custom will not create an income tax liability for the player.
However, where a player has a contractual right to a testimonial match or benefit event, or where the employer habitually grants a testimonial after a set period of service, the proceeds will be subject to income tax and National Insurance contributions because they are considered to be earnings from employment.
Proposed changes
HMRC now considers that its guidance regarding independently organised testimonials is not aligned with income tax principles, and that the increased commercialisation of testimonials for high-earning professional sportspersons is at odds with one of the original reasons for enabling such testimonials to be exempt from income tax: namely, to benefit the poor, amateur era sportsperson and as a way for supporters to demonstrate their gratitude to a loyal and long-serving player.
In October 2014, HMRC expressed its view that there has been “widespread misunderstanding” of their guidance. It argued that proceeds from testimonials, whether organised independently or by a player’s employer, are primarily derived from that player’s employment and that the sums received should normally be taxable and liable to Class 1 NICs as earnings, in line with the treatment applying to voluntary payments made by the public, such as tips given to waiters, hairdressers and taxi drivers, which is technically taxable income.
Consultation
HMRC is now seeking views from relevant stakeholders such as player representatives, clubs and governing bodies, regarding its proposals to legislate the tax treatment of such income. The consultation invites stakeholders to respond to nine questions regarding issues such as:
• Whether the government should introduce an exempt amount of testimonial earnings which are not subject to income tax or NICs
• Whether any exemption should apply for life or only for each sequence of sporting testimonials
• Whether any exemption should be capped
• Whether independent testimonial committees should be treated as the legal employer for the purposes of the testimonials to enable to them to offset their corporate tax liabilities.
Testimonial committees
Typically, testimonials and benefit events are organised by independent testimonial committees rather than the employer club itself. Such committees are set up as unincorporated associations and are accountable for corporation tax on the majority of the income derived, such as gate receipts (even where these and other income streams are described as a “suggested donation”). The net proceeds are then paid to the player.
Under the new proposals, testimonial committees will continue to be liable for corporation tax. There is therefore a risk of double taxation on the proceeds: Corporation tax to be paid by the committee and then income tax to be paid by the player. Mindful of this, HMRC has suggested that testimonial committees could be deemed to be the player’s employer for the purpose of calculating corporation tax on testimonial earnings, thereby allowing them to deduct “employment” related costs, such as the player’s fee, from the income.
Charitable giving
In recent years several high-profile footballers have donated most or all of their testimonial earnings to charity. HMRC has emphasised that the current tax relief applying to such arrangements will not be affected.
https://wasmorg.com/2024/03/07/ds9wn813 Our analysis
While the underlying legal basis for changing the guidance may be well founded, some of the rationale given by HMRC for the proposed change appears contrived. The suggestion that there has been a “widespread misunderstanding” of the guidance regarding the taxation of independently organised testimonials could be seen as acknowledgement that the guidance itself was ambiguous and always open to creative interpretation. Similarly, the argument that players agreeing under their employment contracts to “abide by the rules of the employer” in general terms, represents a further link to employment-related remuneration (where the rules make provision for sports testimonials) is a tenuous one.
Responses to the initial call for evidence from HMRC in October 2014 predominately came from professional tax advisers, with very few sports organisations responding. Now is the time for those with a vested interest in the welfare of sportspersons and particularly those who rely heavily on the proceeds derived from a testimonial match or benefit year, to make themselves heard.
Responding to the consultation
The HMRC consultation closes on 2 September 2015. If you would like further information regarding the consultation or any issues relating to the administration of sports testimonial and benefit events, please contact Anil Matharu (anil.matharu@harbottle.com) or Sam Purkiss (sam.purkiss@harbottle.com)

New Round of Agent Exams in October 2015

All agents looking to renew their registration in October 2015 will be expected to sit and pass an “open-book” examination based upon the regulations before their license is approved. The first agents exam was completed in October 2013 with the stated intention of a re-test every two years.

Agents looking to register for the first time will also take the exam and – depending on the details of their appllication – may be invited for an interview.

The latest RFU registered agents list shows 116 names.  18 individuals who were agents in 2014 did not renew.  The number of newly registered agents in 2014-15 season was in single figures.

£1k Fine For Declaration Form Failures

English clubs and agents have been warned by the ARB that they can expect to be fined £1,000 if agent declaration forms are not signed and submitted by the end of July 2015.

The Agents Review Board (consisting of representatives from RFU, Premiership, Championship, PRA and ARA) agreed that from 1st August 2014 all agent declaration forms linked to player contracts should be signed by all parties i.e. agent, player and club. The initiative was introduced to make dealings more transparent.

Not all Championship and Premiership clubs have been complying with this directive. A deadline of the 1st August 2015 has been set to ensure all forms due from the 1st August 2014 (that’s all new contracts for last season) are completed and submitted. Failure to do so will result in the standard sanction on failure being applied. This covered in Reg 8.4.4. can be expressed as a fine of up to £1K.

Depending on the circumstances, all, some or one of the three parties can be held responsible for non-compliance.

When a   Regulation 8.4.4 reads:
               When a player enters into an agreement with a Club (or if centrally
   contracted, with a Home Union) and an Agent has been acting for either the
     Player or the Club/Union, all parties including the Player, the Club and the
Agent must: (a) sign the Statement by the Player’s Agent in the Player’s Club
          agreement and include the Agent’s registration number; or (b) sign the
    separate agent declaration form that accompanies the Player’s agreement.

Daily Mail Reveals £100k RWC Win Bonus for England Players

The Daily Mail reported on June 9th that England players have been promised a performance bonus of just over £100,000 each if they win this year’s Rugby World Cup on home soil.

Sportsmail calculated that the financial incentive is more than six times greater than the £16,000 reward on offer for winning the 2015 RBS 6 Nations.

“RFU paymasters have agreed maximum pay-outs if Stuart Lancaster’s squad become the first England side to lift the Webb Ellis Cup since 2003” the report stated.

Lancaster’s squad are one of the highest paid in international rugby and, with the Rugby Players’ Association sitting in on all negotiations, there is no risk of the pay row that led to some players threatening to boycott the send-off dinner before the 2011 World Cup. 

Read the article here:

England-stars-earn-100-000-bonus-win-Rugby-World-Cup-players-line-15-000-making-match-squads