Saracens are in danger of being kicked out of the Heineken Champions Cup, after potentially fielding an ineligible player in their round 6 win against Racing 92 in January.
An EPCR investigation has been launched, after Saracens notified the tournament organisers of an " inadvertent administrative error", surrounding prop Titi Lamositele.
Lamositele came off the bench in the club's 27-24 win against Racing on Sunday January 19th, despite the American's work permit expiring one day previous. The English side's win saw them secure a quarter final place against Leinster, in a repeat of last season's final.
A statement from the EPCR reads:
"Following an investigation, EPCR has decided to bring a misconduct complaint against Saracens arising from the club’s Heineken Champions Cup, Round 6 match against Racing 92 on Sunday, 19 January.
"EPCR was informed by Saracens earlier this week that their player, Titi Lamositele, who was named in the match day squad for the fixture at Allianz Park and who came on to the field of play as a replacement in the 60th minute, may have been ineligible due an inadvertent administrative error on behalf of the club.
"Lamositele was eligible at the time the Saracens match day squad was announced, however, the club has indicated to EPCR that the player’s work permit expired on Saturday, 18 January, the day before the fixture against Racing 92, and this may have constituted a breach of the Disciplinary Rules of the 2019/20 EPCR Participation Agreement.
"An independent Disciplinary Committee consisting of Roger Morris (Wales), Chair, Pamela Woodman (Scotland) and Jean-Noel Couraud (France) has been appointed to hear the misconduct complaint in London this evening (Friday, 7 February) at 18.00 local time,"
If found guilty, possible sanctions include a fine, or a points deduction. A points deduction would almost certainly see them kicked out of the competition.
Should that happen, Glasgow Warriors would be next in line to take a quarter final place.
The club have already had their relegation from the Premiership confirmed, after breaching the league salary-cap rule.
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