Dean Richards plays down role in 'bloodgate' cover-up

Dean Riohards took the first steps towards appealling his three-year worldwide ban last night when he attempted to play down his role in the cover-up of the 'bloodgate' scandal.

Following his ban by the European Rugby Cup - later extended to all competitions by the International Rugby Board - Richards is considering his position as he awaits the full ERC judgment on the fake blood affair. Last night he released a statement in which he claimed Tom Williams instigated the ensuing cover-up following the wing's bogus blood injury in Harlequins' Heineken Cup defeat to Leinster.

Richards said: "I have always been passionate about rugby and in the dying minutes of that quarter-final, I allowed my passion for the club to compromise my judgment.

"I ordered a blood substitution to be made using fake blood. Thankfully the substitution did not affect the outcome of the game. Some eight days later I was told by Tom Williams that, at his direction, he had his lip cut to make it appear as if there had been a real injury if anyone asked to look at it. Believing this to be true, I felt a duty to safeguard the position of those involved.

"From then on, with the agreement of Tom Williams, I suggested the fabrication of a story which was obviously wrong."

The former director of rugby of Quins is under investigation over claims he has played a part in four separate fake blood injuries and the Rugby Football Union will wait until the ERC's judgment before deciding to take further action.