Williams banned for role in fabricating blood injury

RUGBY NEWS:HARLEQUINS WINGER Tom Williams has been suspended for 12 months after being found guilty of his role in fabricating a blood injury in last season's Heineken Cup quarter-final against Leinster at The Stoop. The London club have also been hit with a €250,000 fine, 50 per cent of which will be suspended for two years.

Harlequins director of rugby Dean Richards plus two members of the club’s medical team – physiotherapist Steph Brennan and Dr Wendy Chapman – had misconduct complaints dismissed. But Williams and the club were found guilty of fabricating a cut to the mouth in order to allow substituted outhalf Nick Evans to return to the field with five minutes remaining.

Television cameras picked up Williams winking towards the bench with “blood” smeared around his mouth.

Harlequins managed to engineer a late drop-goal attempt for Evans but the New Zealand outhalf was struggling with a knee injury and pulled it wide as Michael Cheika’s side held on for a bruising 6-5 victory on their way to winning the Heineken Cup.

The ruling comes after an independent disciplinary committee reconvened in London yesterday to hear misconduct complaints brought by tournament organisers European Rugby Cup (ERC). The committee also met for two days at the start of July.

Chaired by Robert HP Williams (Wales) and also comprising Pat Barriscale (Ireland) and Dr Stuart Reary (Scotland), the committee heard submissions from representatives of ERC and Harlequins and from a number of witnesses as well as considering further evidence that included broadcast footage from the game, which took place on April 12th.

A statement last night from the ERC read: “The independent Disciplinary Committee found that the club (Harlequins) and Mr Tom Williams were guilty of misconduct under the Heineken Cup 2008/09 Disciplinary Rules by fabricating a wound or blood injury in order to allow Nick Evans (No 10) to return to the field of play.

“It was the view of the committee that this was a very serious offence and one that damaged the reputation of the tournament and of rugby union . . .

“The independent Disciplinary Committee dismissed misconduct complaints against Dean Richard, Harlequins’ director of rugby and a doctor and physiotherapist. Both parties have the right to appeal.”

Harlequins last night questioned how Williams and the club could be found guilty if Richards and the medical staff were acquitted.

A club statement said: “Harlequins are both surprised and disappointed at today’s decision by the ERC disciplinary committee to find Harlequins and Tom Williams guilty of misconduct – particularly so in the light of the acquittal of Dean Richards, Steph Brennan and Dr Wendy Chapman on similar or identical charges.

“The club and the player will consider their position in the light of the written judgement due to be handed down by the disciplinary committee.”

At the time, the incident prompted a heated sideline exchange from the respective management teams.

Afterwards Cheika said: “We didn’t doubt the substitution but we are entitled to check for blood and we weren’t given the opportunity to do that. That’s all we’re talking about.”