Dubai Exiles have called on Abu Dhabi Saracens to withdraw from Gulf rugby’s top-flight after they forfeited their final West Asia Premiership fixture on Friday.
The dust may be settling on the Premiership campaign but a new row has been kicked up on the league’s final day after Exiles’ trip to the capital was cancelled at late notice.
Exiles were due to head to Al Ghazal on Friday as the Premiership drew to a close – with Jebel Ali Dragons and Abu Dhabi Harlequins vying to become champions.
But, for the second time this season, Sarries forfeited their fixture with Exiles, with the club citing player injuries leaving them depleted, as well as five of their French legion being called up to military duty.
Even though Exiles will receive a bonus point win, the result will carry as a 20-0 victory – thus hampering the 2015/16 West Asia champions’ hopes of increasing their points tally and affecting their chances of a top-two finish.
That brings with it the guarantee of a home semi-final in the West Asia Cup and the possibility of a home final too. It means Exiles and Sarries will not have played each other in 2017/18 as the capital city side also cancelled their earlier match at The Sevens in January.
It is also the sixth time Exiles have lost a game this season with their first and second teams having both had to regularly deal with forfeits.
And Exiles chairman Mike Wolff is calling for stern action to be taken.
Sarries were West Asia champions just three seasons ago.
“With the Saracens forfeit this weekend it’s their second against us and incredibly frustrating,” said Wolff.
“It means we won’t have played them once this season in what is supposed to be the showcase league for Gulf rugby.
“I understand they have had issues to contend with – the Exiles were in that same space five years ago – but we voluntarily dropped to the Conference to rebuild, and I think Saracens need to consider doing the same, before they lose any choice in the matter.
“If you want to play in the Premiership then you owe it to yourselves as rugby people, your club and other Premiership clubs to meet your commitments.”
UAE international Jaen Botes had been one of several Exiles players relishing a return to the club where they made their name. But even he has no sympathy for his old side.
The South African number 8 said: “It’s now the second time Saracens are forfeiting against us and it’s the sixth game this season our club has lost a game. It’s an absolute joke and clubs need to be fined for doing it.”
Sarries skipper Jonny Taylor (c) said the forfeit was unavoidable.
But a former colleague of Botes and Sarries skipper, Jonny Taylor, hit back.
“We have 15 players who have played in the tight five for the first team that are unavailable this weekend,” Taylor, speaking on holiday in Cambodia after departing following the forfeit, said.
“Of our absences, eight are injuries and the French military sent five away on a military exercise while two are not in the country. It’s very unlucky timing.”
