The Rugby Football Union have delayed their decision on whether to deduct London Welsh points for fielding an ineligible player.
Welsh faced an RFU disciplinary panel hearing accused of playing scrum-half Tyson Keats (above) in up to nine Premiership games this season when he was not registered.
The hearing in London concluded without a ruling and the RFU will be under pressure to ensure the verdict is given today.
“The panel of chairman Jeremy Summers, Mark McCafferty and Peter Budge will now consider their decision, which will be communicated in due course,” the RFU said in a statement.
If the case goes against them, then Welsh may be hit with a points penalty that could effectively decide their Premiership fate.
A deduction of nine points — one for each game Tyson played — is seen as a potential verdict.
Welsh, who were promoted last summer after battling in the courts for the right to join the elite of English rugby, are engaged in a fight to avoid relegation.
They are three points above bottom club Sale and two behind 10th-placed London Irish with only five League games left.
