Former Harlequins director of rugby Dean Richards has been handed a three-year ban from European Rugby Cup organised tournaments after admitting his part in the Tom Williams blood-injury scandal.

The former England number eight - at a ERC appeal hearing on Monday - pleaded guilty to misconduct charges levelled against him in the wake of his side's Heineken Cup quarter-final defeat to Leinster in April.

Physio Steph Brennan has also picked up a two-year ban for confirming his role in the controversy that saw Williams fabricate an injury with a fake blood capsule.

The 25-year-old has seen his 12-month ban reduced to four months - meaning he is available for selection on November 19 - after again admitting his guilt and disclosing the exact details of the sorry saga.

The England Sevens international was replaced by fly-half Nick Evans in the closing stage's of their side's 6-5 defeat to the eventual tournament winners, with what appeared to be 'blood' foaming from his mouth.

Richards, whose punishment could be replicated world wide, was ultimately condemned after Williams revealed the exact steps taken to cover up the incident, which included deliberately cutting the inside of his mouth.

Fresh evidence submitted to the appeal panel also exposed Richards and Brennan as repeat offenders having been involved in four similar incidents in non-ERC tournaments.

The club's original £215,000 fine - with half suspended for two years - has been upped to £258,000 to be paid in full by December 1, 2009.

The committee found the level of misconduct by the club's employees was of a greater magnitude than had been established in the original hearing.

"Whilst the club are pleased that Tom Williams' ban has been reduced, we feel this is a very significant penalty in terms of fine," read a club statement.

"We will now continue with our internal review into all aspects of the business to ensure we have the most stringent compliance and robust policies in place throughout the club to 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."