Richards’ bloodgate ban was savage, says lawyer
THE LAWYER representing shamed Dean Richards has broken the silence on the former Harlequins’ rugby director’s three-year ban, describing the punishment as “savage” and “excessive”.
Richards was banned from any form of coaching by Heineken Cup organisers, the European Rugby Cup, for his part in the now infamous ‘bloodgate’ scandal which has cast a shadow over the game.
But lawyer Mark Gay says Richards’ offence pales in comparison to Schalk Burger’s eye-gauging of Luke Fitzgerald during the British Lions’ tour in June, which led to the South African receiving an eight-week ban.
Gay admits Richards is “reflecting” on his next course of action amid reports he may take the ERC to the High Court, and agrees the former England No8 may have a case.
“I think it is excessive in the context. You have to look at what the offence was,” Gay said when comparing the two incidents.
“What the player was involved with was feigning injury and to my mind, feigning injury is less serious than causing injury and Schalk Burger got eight weeks for gouging.
He added: “It’s a very savage sanction, disproportionate, and really is one which in all conscience, ERC should not have imposed.”