Tom Arscott given written warning by RFU over passing of inside information
Monday 13 February 2017 17:01, UK
Former Sale player Tom Arscott has received a written warning over the passing of inside information to his brother Luke before a Premiership match.
Sale terminated Arscott's contract last month following a a disciplinary investigation and hearing after he was alleged to have leaked information to Bristol player Luke in a meeting at the club's hotel on New Year's Eve.
The following day, Bristol fought back from 15-0 down against Sale to win the Aviva Premiership encounter 24-23 at the AJ Bell Stadium.
Arscott was subsequently suspended after some of his team-mates expressed concerns to the coaching staff and the Rugby Football Union (RFU) began an investigation into the matter on January 16.
Upon concluding its investigation, the RFU deemed the incident to be "at the lower end of the scale of seriousness" but ruled Arscott's actions were "inappropriate".
An RFU statement said: "Following receiving Sale's letter of complaint on 16 January 2016, the RFU interviewed 25 individuals from both clubs and inquiries were made with various betting operators in order to determine whether there had been any breaches of any RFU rules or regulations, in particular RFU Regulation 17.
"Tom Arscott discussed tactical information with his brother Luke Arscott ahead of the match. This information related to Sale using some backs in their lineout on occasion and that another back would be defending in a different position at times.
"The RFU has determined that this information, while at the lower end of the scale of seriousness, falls within the definition of inside information (as per Regulation 17.2).
"But in the absence of any evidence of betting or fixing, there had not been a breach of RFU Regulation 17.
"However, the RFU has deemed that Tom Arscott's behaviour was inappropriate and the player has received a written warning for his conduct and he will be required to undertake a relevant World Rugby education module.
"Information that was passed from Tom Arscott to Luke Arscott regarding the proposed defensive structure in the Sale backline was provided to two Bristol coaches.
"However, in the absence of any evidence of a suspicion of fixing/betting etc., the RFU has determined that Bristol did not fail to comply with the relevant reporting requirements in relation to the inside information that the club received.
"There was no evidence to demonstrate that Bristol changed any of their game strategy to deal with Sale's defensive positional changes."
Gerard McEvilly, RFU Head of Discipline, said Sale's decision to terminate Arscott's contract played into the decision to issue him with just a written warning for his actions.
"In determining what action should be taken following the investigation we have taken into account that Tom Arscott has already paid a heavy price for his conduct in having been dismissed from his employment by Sale Sharks," McEvilly said.
"These issues have arisen because of the inappropriate sharing of information while players were socialising in the same hotel before the match. Therefore, the RFU is strongly recommending to both clubs that all their players are reminded of their contractual and ethical obligations to their employing clubs and of the problems that may arise should confidential/inside information be passed between individuals.
"I would like to thank both clubs for their significant assistance in this investigation."
The player himself later issued a statement on the matter.
"Following the conclusion of the RFU's investigation into the complaint made against me by Sale Sharks, I wish to state that although I am disappointed with the outcome, I would now like to draw a line under this episode," he said in a statement issued via the Rugby Players' Association.
"This has been an extremely difficult period for me, my family and friends and I would like to thank all those who have supported me. I look forward to resuming my playing career as soon as possible.
"I will not be making any further statement on the matter."
