The 'Grannygate' scandal that engulfed the game in Wales during the late 1990s has been cited in Spain's last ditch bid to be reinstated in next year's Rugby World Cup, it has emerged.
A verdict is expected today after Spain appealed against the deduction of 10 points from their two victories over the Netherlands in qualifying that saw them lose their place at the global tournament to Romania.
The punishment came after the Spanish fielded an ineligible player, Gavin van den Berg, in both matches amid suggestions his passport was tampered with. Spain claim this was done without their knowledge and believe the scandal of the past involving two of the game's major nations sets a precedent in terms of punishment, according to The Times.
Shane Howarth and Brett Sinkinson, who were both born in New Zealand, represented Wales 39 times between them before it was discovered neither of them actually had family ties to this country after all, despite the earlier belief they qualified through grandparents. Scotland had a similar issue with England-born prop Dave Hilton.
Wales and Scotland were reprimanded for their actions but were not punished or fined in any meaningful way. You can read more about Grannygate here and learn about Howarth's new life as a supermarket owner here.
“It is very relevant because if the committee takes into consideration the precedents, we believe that it should reduce the sanction, and impose only an economic sanction, and not punish the players of the national team without playing the World Cup,” a Spain source told the Times.
Under World Rugby rules at the time, South African Van den Berg had to have been a resident of Spain for 36 consecutive months to play. He was permitted to spend 62 days out of the country in the first year, which is what his official documents are claimed to have stated. But it later emerged Van den Berg had been out of the country for 127 days.
Spain had qualified for a first World Cup since 1999 after finishing second in the Rugby Europe Championship.
