( CNN ) -- Former England forward and Harlequins director of rugby Dean Richards has been banned from coaching for three years for his part in masterminding a fake blood injury to one of his players . Tom Williams spitting fake blood from his mouth in a match between Harlequins and Leinster . The 46-year-old was hit with disciplinary action after a hearing by an independent European Rugby Cup ( ERC ) panel found he had `` organized the fabrication of a blood injury '' on wing Tom Williams during a European Cup quarterfinal match against Leinster . With his side trailing by one point Williams , under instructions from Richards , faked a cut in his mouth with a capsule of fake blood , thereby allowing goal-kicker Nick Evans to return to the field of play . The plan may have worked if Williams had not winked to the oncoming player as he left the pitch , an action that infuriated their opponents Leinster . The ERC confirmed in a statement on their official Web site that Richards had acknowledged his role as the orchestrator of the plan that has since been dubbed `` bloodgate , '' and the subsequent cover up of the injury . Watch journalists discuss club 's 'shame ' » . Richards was initially cleared of improper conduct by a hearing in July in which Williams was given a 12-month ban , but the verdict was challenged by ERC disciplinary officer Roger O'Connor . Further evidence came to light in an appeal made by Williams before an admission of guilt by Dean Richards , who recently resigned from his position with Harlequins , prompted the ban . The ERC appeal committee chairman Rod McKenzie said details of four other incidents of Harlequins faking injuries had been passed to the relevant authorities . Williams 's ban was reduced to four months and the fine imposed on Harlequins has been increased from $ 340,000 to $ 425,000 -- the club still awaits to hear whether they will be expelled from this season 's European Cup . The physiotherapist for the London-based club , Steph Brennan , has also been banned for two-years . Richards had not decided whether to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport but reacted to his ban by telling reporters : `` I 'm surprised . Three years is a long time but I 'll reflect on it overnight . `` I took full responsibility for it . It was a farcical situation , it really was . It did n't pan out particularly well on the day . Everybody looked at it and thought , 'That 's unreal ' , which is what I thought on the touchline as well . `` But I had to hold my hands up , '' Richards added .
Ex - England rugby player Dean Richards is hit with three - year suspended ban . Richards admitted orchestrating a fake knee injury to one of his players . The 46-year - old also admitted a subsequent cover up of the operation . Wing David Jones had 12-month ban reduced to four on appeal .