Former Harlequins director of rugby Dean Richards has been banned from coaching for three years for his part in a fake blood injury controversy.

Tom Williams faked a cut in his mouth in order to allow fly-half Nick Evans to return to the field against Leinster in the Heineken Cup on 12 April.

Winger Williams's initial 12-month ban has now been reduced to four months.

A European Rugby Cup (ERC) disciplinary panel also increased Harlequins' fine to £259,000, to be paid in full.

The original fine was 250,000 euros (£206,000) half suspended.

Physiotherapist Steph Brennan was handed a two-year ban after an admission of guilt, but the appeal committee dismissed the charge against Dr Wendy Chapman from the club's medical staff.

Former England forward Richards, who resigned from his position as director of rugby at Quins last weekend, was also found to have been involved in four similar incidents, hence the severity of his punishment.

Reacting to his ban, Richards said: "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 didn'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."

The cover-up is thought to have involved Williams' face being deliberately cut after the Leinster match to hide the fact he had used a fake blood capsule.

Richards said: "I have no knowledge of that. I wasn't party to anything going on there.

"I'm not aware that it did happen. I know that he had a cut but I don't know how it came about because I wasn't in the room."

Richards had not decided whether to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

He said: "I'm a little bit shocked, a little bit surprised by it all.

"It seems a little bit disproportionate but, at the end of the day, I'll reflect on it overnight and obviously see where my thoughts are in the morning."

Reading a statement, Williams said: "I sincerely regret the role that I've played in this unacceptable incident that has done so much damage to the image of rugby union.

"I let down my team-mates and the club's fans, and I'll have to live with those actions for the rest of my career.

"In deciding to come clean and do the right thing, I've tried honestly to rectify this mess and repay the good faith shown in me by my friends and family.

"I would like to thank the ERC disciplinary panel for their decision to reduce my sanction and I am relieved that they did this.

"However, I also realise the grave error of judgment that I have made."

He added: "I hope that, as a result of this episode, no player or employee will ever be put in such a compromised position, and if they are then they will always tell the truth, as I had wish I had done from the outset."

The sanction on Richards applies to ERC-organised tournaments, though the ERC will request it is extended to become a worldwide ban.

A decision is still to made as to whether Harlequins will be expelled from this season's Heineken Cup.

The decision, which cannot be appealed against, was made by an independent ERC disciplinary committee in Glasgow late on Monday.

A statement on the club's website said: "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."

Evans had departed injured in the 47th minute of the 6-5 defeat by Leinster before his replacement at number 10, Chris Malone, also went off injured later in the second half.

With time running out, Williams was seen with what appeared to be blood coming out of his mouth, which meant he could go off to be replaced by specialist kicker Evans.

Evans missed a drop goal as the Irish side held out for the win before going on to win the Heineken Cup.

Television pictures appeared to show Williams winking at the bench as he went off.

Leinster were incensed and their club doctor, Arthur Tanner, followed Williams down the tunnel but was prevented from entering the treatment room.

BBC RUGBY

Dean Richards