Toulouse docked points over Jaminet transfer breach

French giants Toulouse have been handed a two-point penalty in the Top 14 after breaching the league’s salary cap regulations relating to the 2022 transfer of Melvyn Jaminet.

The decision was confirmed on Monday by the Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR) following an investigation into Jaminet’s almost R9-million move from Perpignan.

Toulouse, the record 24-time Top 14 champions, appeared before a disciplinary hearing last week. The ruling sees Les Rouge et Noir drop to second place on the standings, with Pau moving to the top of the table.

MORE: Salary cap controversy plagues Toulouse

In a statement, the LNR confirmed the sanctions imposed on the defending champions.

“The disciplinary committee has imposed the following on Toulouse: a two-point deduction in the Top 14 table for the current season and a two-point penalty suspended,” the league said.

Toulouse were also fined R885,000, with R295,000 of that amount suspended.

The Jaminet case has hovered over the club for several months. In March, Toulouse paid over R25-million to the LNR as part of a settlement linked to the affair. The France international fullback has since moved on, joining Toulon in 2023.

Toulouse have seven days to appeal the ruling.

“Toulouse takes note of the decision issued by the French national league,” the club said in a statement to AFP.

“The rulings handed down come at the end of a procedure whose methods have profoundly affected our image, and we regret this.

“Committed to our values of transparency and responsibility, Toulouse will, in the coming days and together with our advisers, assess the opportunity to appeal in order to uphold our rights.”

ALSO: R25m salary cap fine for Toulouse

Elsewhere, second-tier side Dax were handed a nine-point deduction by the LNR for separate financial irregularities.

– AFP

Photo: Lionel Hahn/Getty Images