Former Saracens star Ashton defends property investment

News24
28 Jan 2020, 11:43 GMT+10

London - Former Saracens star Chris Ashton on Monday defended his decision to invest in a property with the club's owner Nigel Wray.

Ashton was last week named in a leaked report into Saracens' financial misbehaviour after he bought a Pound 1.4 million property, which Wray and another director paid 20 percent towards.

"The investment was completely separate to the rugby for me," Ashton told a BBC rugby podcast.

"Nigel was never involved in any negotiations of contracts or anything like that. I saw Nigel as a businessman outside of rugby that I went to see to get a loan, like I would from the bank.

"It was completely separate to my contract. Nigel likes property, he invests in property. He came along to the house to see it with me, we had a look round and he gave some thoughts on what we could do.

"I can completely understand why people are annoyed about it because it is a benefit that you don't get at other clubs. Now I do understand. I do see it. At the time, I didn't."

Premiership and European champions Saracens were fined Pound 5.36 million and docked 35 league points for breaking the salary cap for the last three seasons.

Wray has stepped down as chairman and Saracens will be relegated at the end of the campaign.

Former England international Ashton played for Saracens for five seasons before leaving in 2017.

Now playing for Sale, Ashton said he has paid Wray back.

"We had a solicitors' drawn-up contract to say that Nigel owned his percentage of the house and when the house was sold he would receive all his money back. I've paid that back," he said.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Greek Herald.

More Information

null in null

International Business

Section

Shell rejects claim of early merger talks with BP

LONDON, U.K.: British oil giant Shell has denied reports that it is in talks to acquire rival oil company BP. The Wall Street Journal...

Trump-backed crypto project gets $100 million boost from UAE fund

LONDON, U.K.: A little-known investment fund based in the United Arab Emirates has emerged as the most prominent public backer of U.S....

FM Sitharaman highlights India's reforms, investment opportunities in her address at FFD4 Summit in Spain

Seville [Spain], July 1 (ANI): Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman, currently on an official visit...

Russias largest bank delivers pessimistic 2026 forecast

Dwindling demand for loans due to high interest rates is hurting Sbers profits, its CEO has warned Russia's largest bank, Sber, is...

PM Modi's 5-nation visit: Vaccine development among focus items in Ghana; discussions in Namibia to touch on UPI expansion

New Delhi [India], June 30 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming five-nation tour, beginning on July 2, will see significant...

India to set up vaccine hub in Ghana, expand UPI in Namibia during PM Modi's multi-nation tour

New Delhi [India], June 30 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming five-nation tour, beginning on July 2, will see significant...

Mediterranean

Section