English Rugby
Quins spared further ERC sanction
Scrum.com
September 8, 2009
Harlequins wing Tom Williams is escorted from the field by physio Steph Brennan, Harlequins v Leinster, Heineken Cup, Twickenham Stoop, April 12, 2009
Harlequins will not face further investigation from ERC © Getty Images
Enlarge
Related Links
Players/Officials: Dean Richards | Tom Williams
Tournaments/Tours: Guinness Premiership
Teams: England | Harlequins

Harlequins will face no further action from European Rugby Cup Ltd. (ERC) in the wake of the 'Bloodgate' scandal.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the ERC board put forward their belief that disciplinary proceedings against the club and officials had progressed as far as possible.

Quins director of rugby Dean Richards was banned for three years after wing Tom Williams faked a blood injury in the Heineken Cup quarter-final against Leinster in April.

Williams was banned for four months, reduced from 12 on appeal, and the club fined £259,000. Physiotherapist Steph Brennan was handed a two-year ban for his part in the scam.

The statement confirmed, however, that the Rugby Football Union (RFU) has contacted ERC in order to procure information so as to decide whether or not to pursue further investigations against the club.

The General Medical Council (GMC) has also contacted ERC in order to investigate the involvement of Dr. Wendy Chapman in the disciplinary process.

"The ERC disciplinary officer has brought the misconduct charges against Harlequins and/or its officials and staff as far as is feasible in this instance," said the statement. "The board has directed the ERC disciplinary officer to pass onto the RFU, where appropriate, relevant information gathered in ERC's investigation and hearings."

The club has already been cleared to play in this season's Heineken Cup and began their Guinness Premiership campaign with defeat to Wasps at Twickenham on Saturday, a game which saw lock George Robson sent-off after only 45 seconds.

© Scrum.com

Live Sports

Communication error please reload the page.

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices