Premiership Rugby have confirmed that reigning champions Saracens will be relegated from rugby union's top flight at the end of this season following persistent salary cap breaches.
Sarries had already been deducted 35 points for the current Premiership campaign and fined £5.3m for three seasons' spending above the cap.
Proof of immediate cap compliance was required to avoid further sanctions.
The club will finish this season before entering the Championship for 2020-21.
This decision also means that should the club successfully retain its European Champions Cup crown, they would not be permitted to defend the title next season.
Premiership Rugby Chief Executive Darren Childs says they are prepared to take strong action to enforce the regulations governing fair competition between their clubs.
He says at the conclusion of dialogue with Saracens about their compliance with the Salary Cap Regulations, it has been decided that Saracens will be relegated at the end of this season.
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