Richards criticised in damning judgement

Dean Richards has been described as the “directing mind” and having “central control” in the ’Bloodgate’ fake injury scandal.

Former Harlequins rugby director Richards is strongly criticised in a written judgement of his European Rugby Cup appeal hearing, published today.

ERC disciplinary officer Roger O’Connor appealed an original decision to find misconduct complaints against Richards and ex-Quins physiotherapist Steph Brennan not proven.

A subsequent appeal committee then banned Richards for three years, imposed a two-year suspension on Brennan and also increased Quins’ fine to €300,000.

And Richards’ role in ’Bloodgate’ is now laid bare in a damning judgement running to almost 100 pages.