Defending Top 14 champions Toulouse have received a two-point deduction in the current league season due to irregularities around the transfer of their former player Melvyn Jaminet.

The Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR) investigated the full-back’s 450,000 euros (c.GBP 395,000) transfer from Perpignan due to a breach of the Top 14 salary cap.

Last week, Les Rouge et Noir, who have been crowned Top 14 champions a record 24 times, appeared at a disciplinary hearing of the LNR, who are the organisers of the Top 14 and second-tier Pro D2.

Toulouse drop down to second position

The points deduction means Toulouse drop down to second position behind Pau in the standings due to an inferior points difference.

Pau and Toulouse now have 37 points amassed in the table after 11 rounds of Top 14 matches played and both clubs have won eight and lost three league games so far this season.

“The disciplinary committee has imposed the following on Toulouse,” the LNR said on Monday.

“A two-point deduction in the Top 14 table for the current season and a two-point penalty suspended. And also a fine of 45,000 euros, of which 15,000 euros are suspended.”

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The Jaminet saga has hung over Toulouse for several months after the club paid a settlement amount of 1.3 million euros to the LNR in March.

The 20-Test France international joined Toulouse from Perpignan in 2022 before joining Toulon the following year.

Les Rouge et Noir were given seven days to appeal the LNR’s decision.

Toulouse statement on LNR decision

“Toulouse takes note of the decision issued by the French national league,” the French champions told AFP.

“The rulings handed down come at the end of a procedure whose methods have profoundly affected our image, and we regret this.

“Committed to our values of transparency and responsibility, Toulouse will, in the coming days and together with our advisers, assess the opportunity to appeal in order to uphold our rights,” they added.

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