Dean Richards has refused to reveal whether there was a systematic attempt to fake blood injuries at Harlequins despite his three-year ban for doing it on five separate occasions.
Richards' coaching career was in tatters last night after the 46-year-old admitted his part in the 'Bloodgate' scandal at an ERC independent appeals committee, which lasted almost 14 hours at Glasgow's Radisson Hotel.
The former Quins director of rugby was found to be at the centre of a cover-up over an incident in the club's Heineken Cup quarter-final defeat to Leinster in April in which wing Tom Williams faked a facial cut.
Richards was also found to have been involved in four similar incidents, hence the severity of his punishment, which applies to ERC-organised tournaments but which the independent appeals committee will request is extended worldwide.
Richards, who resigned last weekend, refused to comment on whether faking blood injuries was part of an concerted club strategy.
He also denied any knowledge of Williams' face being deliberately cut after the April 12 Leinster game to hide the fact the player had used a fake blood capsule on the field of play.
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."
Of the Williams fake blood affair, Richards added: "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."
Richards had not decided last night whether to appeal the decision to the likes of 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."
The club saw their original fine of 250,000 euros – 50 per cent of which was suspended for two years - increased to 300,000 euros, with none suspended.
Brennan refused to comment on his punishment last night, while Harlequins chief executive Mark Evans was disappointed with the club's increased fine, which they must pay in full by December 1.
