Friday, September 11, 2009

'Bloodgate' furore over for Quins

Tom Williams leaves the pitch in the Heienken Cup quarter-final against Leinster
Williams used a blood capsule to fake a blood injury against Leinster

The Rugby Football Union will not take any further action against Harlequins over the damaging 'Bloodgate' scandal.

Heineken Cup organisers European Rugby Cup (ERC) told Quins earlier this week that it considered the matter closed.

And now RFU disciplinary officer Jeff Blackett says: "This saga has lasted too long and a line needs to be drawn."

Quins were fined £259,000 while boss Dean Richards, winger Tom Williams and physio Steph Brennan were banned for their part in the fake injury scandal.

Harlequins chairman Charles Jillings resigned in the wake of the ERC's verdict but Mark Evans remains as chief executive and appears to have survived the scandal.

606: DEBATE

The whole saga started after Williams left the field with what turned out to be fake blood pouring from his mouth during a Heineken Cup match against Leinster on 12 April.

Williams was given an initial 12-month ban that has now been reduced to four months. It was during his appeal that the full story of the cover-up emerged.

Richards was found to be a central figure in the scandal and has been banned from coaching worldwide for three years, while Brennan received a two-year ban.

The RFU took over the case after the ERC handed out its own sanctions. Blackett said he had considered whether any matters arose beyond those which the ERC has already ruled on.

There will be some who will consider that further action should be taken - I disagree

RFU disciplinary officer Jeff Blackett

He considered whether any senior Quins officials other than those already sanctioned knew fake blood had been used in the match, had attempted to interfere with or deceive the ERC disciplinary process, had pressurised Williams into lying, or undertaken any other conduct damaging to the interests of the RFU.

"There is insufficient evidence to support a case of misconduct by the club or any of its senior officials which has not already been considered by the ERC," concluded Blackett.

"There will be some in the game who will consider that further action should be taken against Harlequins and senior officials and that my decision has undermined the integrity of the sport. I disagree.

"I have no doubt that everyone involved now understands the importance of telling the truth at the earliest possible opportunity and that in itself will send a powerful message to the rest of the game.

"As far as the RFU is concerned the matter is now closed."

No comments: