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Harlequins want Premiership salary cap reduction due to economic impact of coronavirus

"Something has to change, so we would be supportive of how the salary cap could change"

Chris Robshaw of Harlequins speaks to his side during a post match huddle during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Bristol Bears and Harlequins at Ashton Gate on March 08, 2020 in Bristol, England. (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)
Image: Harlequins' last match was a defeat to Bristol Bears on 8 March

Harlequins have joined calls for a reduction in the Premiership salary cap amid fears that clubs could take longer than expected to recover from the financial implications of the coronavirus pandemic.

An increasing number of top-flight clubs are reportedly calling for the current level of the cap to be reduced by as much as 25 per cent, as well as scrapping one or both of the 'marquee players' who are exempt from the rule.

Harlequins chief executive Laurie Dalrymple said the enforced lockdown had laid bare the financial fragility of the sport but said it was important to introduce a potential reduction as part of a broader restructuring.

Dalrymple said: "We knew before Covid that financially the structure of rugby is by and large fractured, it's not working.

"There might be one or two clubs who are an exception but virtually all clubs are losing more money than they are bringing in.

"Something has to change, so we would be supportive of how the salary cap could change. I genuinely don't think it should be the only discussion point, but it is a very important one.

"I think it has to be lowered in keeping with what's then going to make the club sustainable, but we have to be cognisant of the fact that when we do get our sport operating commercially, then we have to raise it."

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A general view outside of Twickenham Stoop, home of Harlequins FC is seen as rugby in England remains suspended due to Covid-19 on March 21, 2020 in London, England
Image: Harlequins say they could finish the year with a 50 per cent reduction from their projected revenues

Harlequins furloughed the majority of their staff in the early stages of the lockdown but Dalrymple still estimates the club could finish the year up to 50 per cent down in terms of their projected revenues.

He added: "It's incredibly difficult for us at the moment. We haven't entirely switched off our revenue streams.. but it's a huge amount of pressure on us.

"It's going to take us probably longer than we thought to come through this, and it's going to be a long road ahead to get anywhere near the level of financial and commercial income that we had, on a financial programme that was already fairly fragile before the pandemic."

Last week all 13 Premiership clubs unanimously approved a sweeping overhaul of the league's salary cap.

Saracens have been relegated to the Championship for breaches of the Premiership's £7m salary cap
Image: Saracens were relegated to the Championship for breaches of the Premiership's £7m salary cap

In May a review led by former government minister Lord Myners proposed 52 recommendations to overhaul the salary cap following a comprehensive review.

The review followed last year's punishment of Saracens for breaches of the salary cap and subsequent failure to provide proof of their immediate compliance to auditors.

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