Bloodgate Timeline
Tuesday 14 September 2010 17:01, UK
skysports.com looks back at how the amazing Bloodgate scandal at Harlequins unfolded.
skysports.com looks back at how the amazing Bloodgate scandal at Harlequins unfolded.
With physio Steph Brennan being struck off for his part in the Bloodgate scandal, we take a look back at how things developed in this amazing story.2009
April 12: Leinster defeat Harlequins 6-5 in the Heineken Cup quarter-final at the Twickenham Stoop. Nick Evans missed a late drop-goal attempt after being re-introduced as a blood replacement for Tom Williams. April 17: European Rugby Cup (ERC) launch an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Williams' blood substitution and appoint disciplinary officer Roger O'Connor to gather statements. July 20: ERC bans Williams for 12 months. Harlequins fined £213,000 with half suspended. Disciplinary panel dismiss misconduct charges against Harlequins director of rugby Dean Richards, physio Steph Brennan and doctor Wendy Chapman. Aug 8: Harlequins announce Richards' resignation. Williams lodges an appeal. ERC also appeal against Quins' punishment and the decision to dismiss charges against Richards, Brennan and Dr Chapman. Aug 12: Harlequins chief executive Mark Evans writes an open letter and makes an unconditional apology.
Aug 17: Richards is banned for three years, Brennan for two years and Harlequins' fine increased to £258,000 by ERC appeal panel. Williams' suspension is reduced from 12 months to four following his explosive new evidence. Panel decide they do not have jurisdiction over Chapman.
Aug 22: Brennan resigns from the RFU with immediate effect.
Aug 24: Rugby Football Union sets up a game-wide task force to review damaging issues relating to the episode and the Bath drugs scandal. Twickenham take no further action against players implicated in previous occasions where Harlequins attempted to use fake blood.
Aug 25: Williams' evidence to the appeal panel is published by ERC. It details the pressure he felt under not to disclose the whole truth. Williams alleges he was cut by Dr Chapman to help with the cover-up.
Aug 28: Charles Jillings resigns as Harlequins chairman and director.
Sept 2: ERC publish the rest of the appeal hearing evidence in which Richards is described as being the "directing mind" and having "central control" of the scandal.
Sept 8: ERC take no further action against Harlequins and preserve their place in the Heineken Cup. The RFU launch an investigation into the conduct of club officials during the scandal.
Sept 11: RFU decide not to pursue further misconduct charges against senior officials, including Jillings and chief executive Mark Evans, after deciding there was insufficient evidence.
Sept 16: Dr Chapman is handed an interim suspension by General Medical Council.
Sept 30: The RFU publish a list of 16 measures intended to combat cheating in rugby, the second of them dealing with fake blood injuries.
Nov 11: RFU disciplinary chief Judge Jeff Blackett admits, during the annual Obolensky Lecture, that the affair shook his faith in rugby.
