Bloody Hell - The Verdict
By Prof
August 17 2009
Harlequins FC Club Statement - This statement has been posted on the website at 11:15pm on Monday 17th August
The ERC appeal hearing into the blood substitution of Tom Williams during the Heineken Cup Quarter Final between Harlequins and Leinster on the 12th April has just been concluded and the outcome is as follows:
The club’s sanction of 250,000 Euros with half suspended has been increased to 300,000 Euros to be paid in full.
Tom Williams’ ban has been reduced to 4 months starting from the 20th July 2009.
These outcomes are final and cannot be appealed further through the ERC.
Whilst the club are pleased that Tom Williams’ ban has been reduced, we feel this is a very significant penalty in terms of fine.
We will now continue with our internal review into all aspects of the business to ensure that we have the most stringent compliance and robust policies and processes in place throughout the club and work towards rebuilding our reputation on and off the field. We hope that the club can now draw a line under what has been a difficult few months, learn from it and move on
Bloody Hell - The Verdict
Posted by: ComeAllWithin.co.uk (IP Logged)
Date: 17/08/2009 23:28
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Re: Bloody Hell - The Verdict
Posted by: The Prof (IP Logged)
Date: 17/08/2009 23:29
So that seems to be an end of it. Now we can get back to supporting the team and try to put this business behind us.
I'm certainly looking forward to visiting Toulouse
I'm certainly looking forward to visiting Toulouse
Re: Bloody Hell - The Verdict
Posted by: Bedfordshire Boy (IP Logged)
Date: 17/08/2009 23:30
Common sense prevails.
Head down, waiting for the flack
Head down, waiting for the flack
Re: Bloody Hell - The Verdict
Posted by: Pawlo (IP Logged)
Date: 17/08/2009 23:31
Heads up - we have paid our dues... back to business!
Re: Bloody Hell - The Verdict
Posted by: Madtyke (IP Logged)
Date: 17/08/2009 23:38
Quote:Pawlo
Heads up - we have paid our dues... back to business!
You still have to face the banter from the supporters of every side in the GP and the HEC before you can say it's back to business.
Personally I feel that Quins got off lightly for what has been shown to be deliberate cheating. I hope that every coach will now be advised as to the consequences of their actions and clubs will act accordingly.
[www.arborfieldoldboys.co.uk]
Re: Bloody Hell - The Verdict
Posted by: Safri-quin (IP Logged)
Date: 17/08/2009 23:38
Phew... think we dodged a bullet there... a little flesh wound that will sting for a while, but hopefully make us wiser...
Re: Bloody Hell - The Verdict
Posted by: DreadedQuin (IP Logged)
Date: 17/08/2009 23:42
Why aren't the club allowed to appeal this new sanction? It's not as if they were appealing the old one so why has their right to appeal suddenly been removed? I can't condone the acts that brought the club and ERC this far, and I am incredibly grateful that our punishment isn't worse, but why has the right to appeal this brand new sanction been revoked?
To clarify: Cheating is wrong. We got caught doing it. We didn't own up and those actions are rightfully being punished. We are lucky, IMHO, that we have "only" a fine as the punishment could have been far worse. I am simply interested in why, seeing as we had the right to appeal (but didn't) the original sanction we suddenly have no right to appeal (and I'm not saying we should or shouldn't) this new one.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:08:17:23:47:53 by DreadedQuin.
To clarify: Cheating is wrong. We got caught doing it. We didn't own up and those actions are rightfully being punished. We are lucky, IMHO, that we have "only" a fine as the punishment could have been far worse. I am simply interested in why, seeing as we had the right to appeal (but didn't) the original sanction we suddenly have no right to appeal (and I'm not saying we should or shouldn't) this new one.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:08:17:23:47:53 by DreadedQuin.
Re: Bloody Hell - The Verdict
Posted by: Pawlo (IP Logged)
Date: 17/08/2009 23:43
DreadedQuin: maybe because it was all part of the deal/package?
Re: Bloody Hell - The Verdict
Posted by: The Prof (IP Logged)
Date: 17/08/2009 23:44
Madtyke, yep, I'm sure that there will be lots of banter, as long as it is witty then it's fine, some of the vitriol that a tiny minority of fans have been spouting, along with a fair number of hacks, is quite unpleasant though.
I'm sure we're all thick skinned to be able to take it
I'm sure we're all thick skinned to be able to take it
Re: Bloody Hell - The Verdict
Posted by: Pawlo (IP Logged)
Date: 17/08/2009 23:45
Madtyke: just a case of "sticks & stones"....
Re: Bloody Hell - The Verdict
Posted by: claire_m (IP Logged)
Date: 17/08/2009 23:48
Sticks and stones and all that. And don't forget, we have a lovely ground (which will be even better when the south stand is finished!), top-notch pork rolls, quality ales and a lovely new jersey. So I don't care about witty banter, I'll be eating a hog roll 
Re: Bloody Hell - The Verdict
Posted by: Pawlo (IP Logged)
Date: 17/08/2009 23:54
Apparently:
Deano's ban only applies to ERC-organised tournaments (but which the ERC will request is extended worldwide)... bonne chance Deano
Deano's ban only applies to ERC-organised tournaments (but which the ERC will request is extended worldwide)... bonne chance Deano
Re: Bloody Hell - The Verdict
Posted by: I Quins therefore I am (IP Logged)
Date: 17/08/2009 23:55
Deano, I am sure we will never now how much you tried to hold things together and have now paid a high price for your loyalty.
Re: Bloody Hell - The Verdict
Posted by: joebe (IP Logged)
Date: 17/08/2009 23:57
Time to move on at last.
If only we had put Gommers on and let Care drop into the pocket........
If only we had put Gommers on and let Care drop into the pocket........
Re: Bloody Hell - The Verdict
Posted by: Crawleyquins (IP Logged)
Date: 18/08/2009 08:27
Toulouse, Cardiff, here I come,
Come on you Quinsaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh
Come on you Quinsaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh
Re: Bloody Hell - The Verdict
Posted by: Squirrel Nutquin (IP Logged)
Date: 18/08/2009 08:42
I have not posted for a while. Now the whole sorry episode has finished I am pleased that Tom's ban is reduced. Let's face it, the final outcome could have been worse.
Now I am looking forward to the new squad and our first home Premiership game. Let's really show the other teams and fans what we can do with a fine body of players and a fantastic, dedicated, noisy crowd of thousands of supporters.
COME ON YOU 'QUINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now I am looking forward to the new squad and our first home Premiership game. Let's really show the other teams and fans what we can do with a fine body of players and a fantastic, dedicated, noisy crowd of thousands of supporters.
COME ON YOU 'QUINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Re: Bloody Hell - The Verdict
Posted by: Blank436 (IP Logged)
Date: 18/08/2009 10:04
Did I read on the BBC that our future in the HC was 'still to be determined' or was I imagining it/encountering some wild journalistic licence?
Re: Bloody Hell - The Verdict
Posted by: Harley Quin (IP Logged)
Date: 18/08/2009 10:15
Nothing has changed for me. I am proud to be a Harlequin. I always plan on being a Harlequin. To borrow from Cecil Rhodes, 'being a Harlequin means that in the lottery of rugby life, I won first prize!'
Apologies, but I cant shout or get any more animated (sorry those just behind me in the LV) than I do now!
Apologies, but I cant shout or get any more animated (sorry those just behind me in the LV) than I do now!
Re: Bloody Hell - The Verdict
Posted by: RyeQuin (IP Logged)
Date: 18/08/2009 11:05
Sam123 I read the same and hope that it is not some further 'bite' from ERC yet to come. The club statement makes no mention of a ban from the HC - but it does not unequivocably say we are still in the HC.
Re: Bloody Hell - The Verdict
Posted by: Blank436 (IP Logged)
Date: 18/08/2009 11:11
Perhaps - wildly speculating - it depends on negotiations with the RFU/PRL about what sanction to apply regarding our apparent admission to four previous incidents...
If we're going to be docked 10-20 GP points it's probably best we're not in the HC if we can make the sums add up... We'll need the players.
If we're going to be docked 10-20 GP points it's probably best we're not in the HC if we can make the sums add up... We'll need the players.
Re: Bloody Hell - The Verdict
Posted by: E-Quin (IP Logged)
Date: 18/08/2009 18:10
Quote:Pawlo
Madtyke: just a case of "sticks & stones"....
and hypocrisy.
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