The Rugby Football Union have announced that Harlequins will face no further charges over the 'bloodgate' scandal.
'Bloodgate' saga looks to have finally drawn to a close
The Rugby Football Union have announced that Harlequins will face no further charges over the 'bloodgate' scandal.
The decision means the saga, which has been the major talking point in the sport throughout the summer months, seems to finally have come to an end.
The RFU's disciplinary chief Judge Jeff Blackett had been considering whether the actions of some club executives, including chief executive Mark Evans, had been prejudicial to the interests of the game.
Former former director of rugby Dean Richards, ex physio Steph Brennan and winger Tom Williams were all handed suspensions for their part in faking a blood injury in a Heineken Cup tie against Leinster last season.
The Guinness Premiership club were also fined almost £260,000 after the incident in the quarter-final clash on April 12.
No action
European Rugby Cup Ltd had already confirmed that they would not be taking any action against the Stoop-based club or its staff.
While the RFU cannot reopen cases already dealt with by the ERC, they could assess whether Quins had been in breach of Rule 5.12 - conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game or the Union.
However Blackett decided there was "insufficient evidence" to support a case of misconduct against the club or any senior officials.
"I have decided that there would be no merit in further investigation and 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 ERC," he said.
"There will, therefore, be no further misconduct proceedings against Harlequins or any of its senior officials in relation to the use of fake blood, or any related activities up to the final ERC appeal hearing.
"As far as the RFU is concerned the matter is now closed."
Richards and Brennan were handed bans of three and two years respectively.
Statement
Williams, who was originally given a 12-month suspension which was then lowered to four on appeal, released a statement through the Professional Rugby Players' Association (PRA) following the announcement.
"I am relieved that this ordeal is over, and I can now concentrate all my efforts on making a successful return to playing later this year," the statement said.
"I would like to place on record my sincere thanks to my family and friends and especially to Owen Eastwood at (law firm) Lewis Silkin and Damian Hopley at the PRA for their unwavering support throughout this very difficult period in my life."
