Leicester Tigers: Gallagher Premiership leaders co-operating with inquiry into historical image rights payments | Rugby Union News

Leicester Tigers have met with representatives of Gallagher Premiership to discuss potential breach of salary cap regulations; Premiership salary cap director Andrew Rogers looking into Tigers’ association with Worldwide Image Management

Leicester have confirmed they are co-operating with a Premiership Rugby inquiry into historical image rights payments

Leicester Tigers are the subject of a Premiership Rugby salary cap inquiry into historical image rights payments.

The Tigers have confirmed they are co-operating and have met with representatives from the umbrella organisation for the Gallagher Premiership to discuss the potential breach of salary cap regulations.

The league leaders have responded to a report stating that salary cap director Andrew Rogers is looking into their association with a company called Worldwide Image Management (WIM).

WIM was shut down in February but it is claimed that it previously made payments to Leicester players.

Rogers will look to clarify whether the payments constituted an increase in individual salaries, thereby breaking the salary cap.

A statement from Leicester read: “Leicester Tigers are aware of allegations made against the club regarding historic image rights payments.

“The club is cooperating with Premiership Rugby, who are looking into the historic matter, and has met with representatives from Premiership Rugby to discuss the claims.

“Leicester Tigers will make no further comment while the matter remains ongoing.”

The development comes in the season that Saracens returned to the Premiership after a year spent in the second tier of English rugby as punishment for repeated salary cap breaches.