An independently appointed ERC disciplinary panel met in Dublin yesterday (8 April) to hear three charges of breach of regulations against Neath, Saracens and Ebbw Vale arising from matches that were postponed in January.
The panel comprised chairman Douglas Hunter (Scotland), Brian McLoughlin (Ireland) and Achille Reali (Italy).
Neath v Beziers (Heineken Cup, January 11): Neath were fined Euros 10,000, ordered to pay compensation to ERC of Euros 20,000 and ordered to pay one-third of the costs of the hearing after being found to be in breach of the regulations. It was deemed they did not take adequate precautions to protect their playing surface for the game on January 11 and also failed to have an alternative venue available.
Saracens v Newcastle (PARKER PEN CHALLENGE CUP quarter-final, January 12): Saracens were fined Euros 10,000, ordered to pay compensation of Euros 2,000 to ERC and ordered to pay one-third of the costs of the hearing after being found to be in breach of the regulations. It was deemed they did not take adequate precautions to protect their playing surface for the game on January 12 and also failed to have an alternative venue available.
Ebbw Vale v Pau (PARKER PEN SHIELD quarter-final, January 11): Ebbw Vale were fined Euros 5,000 and ordered to pay compensation of Euros 17,500 to ERC after being found to be in breach of the regulations. It was deemed they did not take adequate precautions to protect their playing surface for the game on January 11 and also failed to have an alternative venue available
