A misconduct complaint against Timisoara Saracens following the cancellation of the Romanian club’s European Rugby Challenge Cup, Round 5 match against Stade Français Paris was considered in Paris on Wednesday, 18 January.

An independent Disciplinary Committee found that Timisoara Saracens had not taken all appropriate steps to prepare and protect the playing surface at the Dan Paltinisanu Stadium and that the club had breached the Tournament Rules of the 2016/17 Challenge Cup Participation Agreement.

The Committee, which consisted of Antony Davies (England), Chairman, Julien Berenger (France) and Pamela Woodman (Scotland), determined that Timisoara Saracens' preparation of the playing surface was deficient in that pitch covers were not provided, the undersoil heating system was not ready in good time and that no suitable alternative venue for the match was available.

The Committee also found that there were no exceptional circumstances and it decided to award five match points to Stade Francais Paris on the basis of a four-try bonus point result of 28-0 and imposed a fine of €;30,000 on Timisoara Saracens.

Both the club and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.

Notes
a) Independent Disciplinary Committees are chosen by the Chairman of the independent Disciplinary Panel, Professor Lorne Crerar.
b) EPCR's Disciplinary Officer presents the case against the club/individual.
c) Both parties to the hearing (EPCR and the club/individual) have the right to appeal decisions of the independent Disciplinary Committee. Appeals must be lodged within three working days of receiving the full written decision from the Chairman of the independent Disciplinary Committee.
d) The full written decision of the independent Disciplinary Committee will be available on www.epcrugby.com/discipline/decisions.php when the disciplinary process is complete.