South African and Sale Sharks centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg has been suspended for two weeks and fined £32,500 ($40,202) for signing contracts with two English Premiership rugby clubs.
Van Rensburg signed a three-year deal with Sale before the 2018/19 season, having already agreed a three-year deal with Gloucester Rugby in 2017.
The dates of Van Rensburg’s suspension will be confirmed when more details of the playing calendar are available.
Sale Sharks were slapped with a suspended five-point deduction for two seasons and fined £20,000 ($24,740) for their involvement in the scandal. The suspended point deduction is on condition that Sale does not violate RFU Regulation 7 which applies to players, approaches, contracts, payments and player movements.
Gloucester Rugby will be paid £25,000 ($30,925) in compensation out of the £32,500 fine for money which was given to Van Rensburg but not repaid.
According to the Rugby Football Union (RFU), the governing body for rugby union in England, both parties accepted the charges against them.
Van Rensburg was charged with conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game contrary to RFU Rule 5.12 while Sale Sharks were charged with breaches of RFU Regulation 7.5 which relates to approaches to players, the RFU said.
The RFU confirmed that there is a right to appeal against the decision.