Sale have been given a suspended five-point deduction for their role in Rohan Janse van Rensburg signing contracts with both them and Gloucester, while the South Africa centre has been banned for two weeks.
Van Rensburg joined Sale on a permanent basis ahead of the 2018-19 season after a loan stint – but the Rugby Football Union revealed he had also signed a deal with Gloucester.
The centre has also been fined £32,500 for his actions, with £25,000 of that fine going to Gloucester as repayment for an advance the club paid him before he opted to join Sale.
Sale Sharks were handed a deduction of five match points – which is suspended for the two forthcoming seasons – and fined £20,000 for their involvement.
And player agent Matthew Ginvert, who represented van Rensburg, has received a fine of £3,750 and “a reprimand” for his part in the series of events.
Van Rensburg joined Sale in 2018 and remains part of their squad under Steve Diamond.
The 25-year-old was charged with conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game contrary to RFU rule 5.12, while Sale were charged with breaches of RFU regulation 7.5 relating to approaches to players.
The RFU said both club and player accepted the charges.
Four Sale Sharks signings who were meant to be the business…but weren’t
Sale Sharks have occasionally suffered misfortune in the transfer market when it comes to exciting signings that ultimately proved disappointing.
We’ve gone from the inception of the Premiership in 1997/98 because, as you all know, that’s when club rugby ‘started’.
1. Mark Wilson
This loan move seemed to make perfect sense, but due to a number of factors it hasn’t really worked out. Undergoing knee surgery immediately following the 2019 Rugby World Cup, Sharks fans didn’t see him debut until a 30 minute cameo against Saracens in early February. Recalled by Eddie Jones for the Six Nations after making just one start for Sale, his loan expires on June 30. After that date, he is due to return to Newcastle and can no longer play for Sale if the season were to be extended into July.