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Johannesburg - The Golden Lions Rugby Union (GLRU) on Wednesday officially laid a charge against the KZN Rugby Union and two Lions players for training with the Sharks without a release by the GLRU, and for Willem Alberts representing the Sharks in Tuesday’s warm-up match against the Stormers.
Alberts and Louis Ludik started training with the Sharks last year when the coastal franchise began their preparations for the Super 14 competition that kicks off on February 12.
Lions chief executive Manie Reyneke previously emphasised that the Sharks and the two players were in contravention of SA Rugby regulations and that the players were still registered with and under contract to the GLRU.
He had warned that action would be taken by means of the official charge of the three parties which would put the ball in SA Rugby's court. The national controlling body was not prepared to intervene before a charge was laid by the Lions.
It is uncertain what sanctions are available to SA Rugby should the Sharks and/or the players themselves be found to have contravened the applicable regulations.
The Lions have not received an official request from the Sharks for the use and transfer of Alberts and Ludik.
"As far as we are concerned, they (Alberts and Ludik) are contracted to the Lions until the end of the 2011 season," Reyneke said.
"I'm not prepared to sign them off as their contracts are valid and we are unhappy that they have in the interim trained with the Sharks.
"Until the issue is resolved, either by arbitration or whatever other means, they remain Lions players."
