Saracens chief Venter fined for refusing joint press conferences

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 7 Oct, 16:55 · Archive

Prem Rugby fined Saracens £5,000 after Brendan Venter refused to do interviews in joint press conferences.

Prem Rugby fined Saracens £5,000 after director of rugby Brendan Venter declined to participate in joint press conferences with head coach Joe Shaw. Venter criticised the fine as an 'autocratic' decision.

Venter returned to the London club this summer in a director of rugby role that carried requirements to fulfil television and media duties. Saracens subsequently changed his title to 'head of culture', apparently to avoid these obligations. Venter questioned the regulator's enforcement of the original requirements.

How it is being reported

• Saracens’ Brendan Venter takes aim at ‘autocratic’ Prem over media dutiesTechnical director held court at club’s training base, comparing rugby to winemaking and claiming interviews ‘steal my joy’ Brendan Venter began his long-awaited public appearance with head bowed, uttering one-word answers and with a general demeanour he would rather be anywhere else. By the end he had compared Prem Rugby to an “autocracy”, mentioned Ukraine and Gaza, and detailed an inspirational talk he recently gave at a school. Of course there was wine to talk, too. An audience with Saracens’ technical director and head of culture is rarely boring and the latest was worth the wait.…Guardian Sport · 7 Oct, 18:29
• Compulsory media duties like something in an autocracy - VenterSaracens' Brendan Venter compares Prem Rugby's media obligations to "something from an autocratic land" after reluctantly speaking at a press conference.BBC Sport · 7 Oct, 16:53
• Saracens chief Brendan Venter hits out at 'autocratic' PREM Rugby bosses for hitting club with £5,000 fine over his media no-shows - after club changed his title to 'head of culture' so he could swerve interviewsALEX BYWATER: The South African returned to the London club this summer as director of rugby - a role which required him to fulfil certain television and other journalistic duties.Daily Mail Sport · 7 Oct, 16:29
• Brendan Venter questions ‘autocratic’ decision after Saracens fined by Prem RugbyVenter has insisted he does not wish to do interviews in a joint press conference with head coach Joe ShawIndependent Sport · 7 Oct, 15:28

In this story: Brendan Venter · Joe Shaw · Saracens · Prem Rugby

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