The career of Dean Richards looks to be in tatters after further details of the 'bloodgate' inquiry were released.
The former Harlequins boss is already serving a worldwide three-year ban for ordering a fake-blood substitution in April's Heineken Cup tie with Leinster.
But the transcript of European Rugby Cup's judgement of the case has further damaged Richards' credibility.
The ruling says Richards "was the directing mind and had central control over everything that happened".
However, the pressure has eased on Quins chief executive Mark Evans as the judgement has cleared him of any involvement in the incident or the cover up of the scandal.
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He was prepared to try to cheat Leinster out of a victory by bringing on a player at a crucial stage in the match when that player was not entitled to return to the field of play
ERC's judgement on Dean Richards
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The now infamous incident occurred in the closing moments of the Heineken Cup quarter-final on 12 April, which Leinster went on to win 6-5.
Quins winger Tom Williams was ordered to feign injury by chewing a fake blood capsule to allow fly-half and goal-kicker Nick Evans to return to the field.
Williams later had his lip cut in an attempt to make the injury appear genuine.
Richards and physio Steph Brennan were initially cleared of any wrongdoing but heavily punished by a subsequent appeals committee in August.
Richards was banned for three years, Brennan for two, while Williams had a one-year ban reduced to four months. Harlequins had their fine increased to £259,000.
ERC, who run the Heineken Cup, have now published the full details of the appeal hearing and the 100-page document strongly criticises Richards for his part in the incident.
"Mr Richards was the directing mind and had central control over everything that happened in relation to the fabrication of the blood injury on the pitch, and the cover-up in the days after the match," said the ERC document.
"The only aspect of the matter in which the appeal committee determined he did not have direct involvement was the alleged cutting of Mr Williams' lip by Dr (Wendy) Chapman.
"It was Mr Richards who had instigated and directed arrangements which enabled the fabrication of blood injuries as and when that was convenient and would assist the club during matches.
"In one of the highest profile matches in which the club had ever been involved, he was prepared to try to cheat Leinster out of a victory by bringing on a player at a crucial stage in the match when that player was not entitled to return to the field of play.
"He was quite disinterested in the consideration that by acting the way he did the club which deserved to win the match might be deprived of its victory.
"He had long since recruited Mr Brennan as his willing lieutenant in such activities, and in identifying Mr Williams as the person who would fake the blood injury he had selected a player who he thought could be suborned into cheating.
"His (Richards) was the dominant personality and influence on affairs."
More to follow.
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