Harlequins may appeal huge fine for fabricating injury

LONDON (Reuters) - English club Harlequins are considering an appeal after being fined 215,000 pounds for fabricating a blood injury to winger Tom Williams during their Heineken Cup quarter-final against Leinster in April.

An independent European Rugby Cup (ERC) panel decided that Quins effectively staged an injury to Williams, who has been given a 12-month ban, to allow specialist goalkicker Nick Evans back on the field for the closing stages of their 6-5 defeat.

"Harlequins are both surprised and disappointed at the decision by the ERC disciplinary committee to find Harlequins and Tom Williams guilty of misconduct in relation to events surrounding the Heineken Cup quarter final versus Leinster," a statement from Harlequins said.

"Particularly so in the light of the acquittal of (Harlequins director of rugby) Dean Richards, (physio) Steph Brennan and Dr Wendy Chapman on similar or identical charges."

Fly-half Evans had departed injured in the 47th minute and his replacement Chris Malone was also hurt in the second half of the match at the Stoop.

Evans later returned after Williams left the field wiping blood from his mouth.

"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 to return to the field of play," the ERC, who used television footage as evidence during the three-day hearing, said in a statement.

"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."

Evans missed a late drop goal attempt that would have swung the match in Harlequins' favour.

(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by N.Ananthanarayanan)