Mako Vunipola has come out stating that he does not regret his business dealings with former Saracen owner Nigel Wray amidst the salary cap scandal that has clouded over the team.
Mako Vunipola, and his brother Billy who also plays for the team, jointly received a payment of £450,000 in order to buy a house. The payment was made into a company that the brothers own called Vunprop.
Saracen are currently being punished for their involvement in a salary cap cheating scandal that now sees the team being relegated to the low division as well as having points deducted from them.
On top of this, they recently just lost their deal with their main sponsor Allianz, along with $4 million a year revenue that the contract brought to the club.
The German insurance group had no other option but to disassociate itself with the scandal stating that it was a very “difficult decision” after an eight-year-long relationship.
The Saracens were found guilty of spending over the regulated salary gap and the payment made to Mako Vunipola is just an example of the various ways the club circumnavigated around these regulations.
Former owner Nigel Wray said this was not the first time he entered into property arrangements with players and tried to justify the payment as an investment rather than a salary pay-off.
Mako Vunipola has come out stating that he does not regret his actions in receiving money as he is looking out for his future as he went on to say the following:
“No regrets at all.”
“If I had the choice to do it again, I would do it again knowing what has happened.”
“That’s no slight at not caring about what has happened to the club, more the fact that I know rugby is important and our careers are short and I want to look ahead a bit,”.
He did, however, claim ignorance in knowing what the ramifications of his business dealing with Wray would lead to.
