Stade Toulousain's salary cap fine reduced on appeal to €2.7M

Stade Toulousain, French rugby's most decorated club, has had its penalty for salary cap infringements slightly lessened. The French Rugby Federation's appeals commission reduced the initial fine from €2.88 million to €2.725 million, announced Thursday.

The club, a four-time defending French champion, was initially fined €2.88 million by the National Rugby League's disciplinary committee in early July. The appeals commission's decision replaces that earlier ruling. The new penalty includes a €2 million fine for failing to meet general obligations of transparency and cooperation, and a €675,000 fine for exceeding the salary cap. This latter amount is split between €300,000 for the 2021-2022 season and €375,000 for the 2022-2023 season.

Additionally, the appeals commission revoked a previously suspended €50,000 penalty that was issued in October 2023. This decision followed an appeal lodged by the club against the initial sanctions imposed on July 3. The club's president, Didier Lacroix, has been at the helm during these periods of infraction and subsequent penalties.