ERC: Richards orchestrated 'blood-gate' cover-up
The blame for 'blood-gate' falls squarely at Dean Richards' door
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By Will Haine. |  |
Wednesday, 02, Sep 2009 04:49
By Alistair Potter
The blame for the controversial cover-up of the blood-gate affair involving Harlequins and Tom Williams has been placed solely at the feet of Dean Richards, according to the latest written decisions released by the ERC.
European rugby's governing body have released four additional written statements, numbering 99 pages in total, that sets out in detail the results of the appeal hearings of winger Williams, former Quins director of rugby Richards and ex-club doctor Steph Brennan.
And the latest statement suggests the findings of the disciplinary body, which convened last month to hear appeals to the original judgments, makes Richards the main player in the cover-up.
The former England number eight, who was banned from all forms of rugby coaching for three years, was found guilty of putting Williams under duress to lie to the appeal hearing to protect himself, the club and the other individuals involved.
The damning verdict also shows that Richards was guilty of providing false statements and masterminding the entire episode.
The committee refers to Richards as "the instigator of the cover up", "the directing mind" and having "central control over everything that happened".
"In one of the highest profile matches in which the club had ever been involved [Richards] was prepared to try to cheat Leinster out of a victory by bringing on a player [Nick Evans] at a crucial stage in the match when that player was not entitled to return to the field of play," the ERC decision reads.
"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.
It continued: "[Richards'] was the dominant personality and influence on affairs.
"He knew, or ought to have known, that players such as Mr Williams would likely obey his directions whether it meant cheating or not."
Richards himself "took full responsibility for orchestrating the incident and the subsequent cover up", while in the same evidence Dr Brennan claimed that "Mr Richards was leading the whole situation".
The decision not to expel Harlequins from future European tournaments was also explained, with the committee suggesting the financial repercussions of a ban would be 'disproportionate to the offence committed by the club' in failing to control its employees.
In response to the newly released information, English rugby's governing body the Rugby Football Union (RFU) said it will "review the documentation thoroughly".
"However, until a final decision by ERC on any more action they may take in this matter the jurisdiction lies with them and we are not in a position to take any further steps," a statement explained.
"The information will also form part of the evidence examined by the 'Image of the Game' task group, which will first meet next week to look at all issues to do with inappropriate behaviour that undermine the core values of the game at all levels of the game, on and off the field."
Harlequins are yet to comment on the new evidence that has come to light but are expected to do so soon.