Stade Toulousain, the reigning triple French champion, has been summoned on May 26 before the disciplinary commission, notably for “exceeding” the salary cap in three of the last four seasons, announced the French National Rugby League (LNR) on Sunday. “The salary cap manager,” who is supposed to monitor compliance with the salary cap for Top 14 rugby clubs “has identified several presumed violations by Stade Toulousain,” explained the League’s press release on Sunday. The red and black club is accused of “exceeding the salary cap” in three of the last four seasons (2021-2022, 2022-2023, and 2024-2025) as well as “failing to comply with the general obligation of transparency and cooperation” from 2021 to 2025.
The most titled club in the history of French rugby (24 championships, 6 European cups) faces a heavy fine and a recruitment ban. However, the club does not risk sporting sanctions, such as point deductions or relegation, as these measures have only been put in place starting from the current season.
Fines already imposed on Toulouse
Stade Toulousain was already sanctioned with a suspended fine of 50,000 euros in 2023 when Springboks winger Cheslin Kolbe left for Toulon. In 2025, as part of a mediation, the club agreed to pay a “contribution” of 1.3 million euros to the LNR for the transfer of international fullback Melvyn Jaminet from Perpignan.
In late March, Stade Toulousain President Didier Lacroix wrote a letter to his counterparts calling for a reform of the salary cap, considering it partially “illegal and inconsistent.” The club also requested the repeal of several provisions to the League, which has no intention of doing so. The dispute could escalate to the Council of State.
The reform of the Top 14 salary cap has been a topic of discussion in professional rugby for several months. This season, it includes a fixed amount of 10.7 million euros, which is increased based on the number of French internationals in the squad.
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