RFU disappointed with Saracens over Brendan Venter incident
The Rugby Football Union have hit back at criticism from Saracens over the manner in which their director of rugby Brendan Venter was handed a misconduct charge.
The former South Africa centre received a 14-week touchline ban on Tuesday after being found guilty of making inappropriate gestures and comments to spectators during his side's 32-23 win at Leicester on May 8.
He was cleared of a charge of pushing a female Leicester supporter but the ban means he will not be allowed any contact with his side when they face a re-match against the Tigers in the Guinness Premiership final a week on Saturday.
Saracens leapt to Venter's defence upon the news of his charges, but the RFU have responded strongly, describing the club's reaction as "disappointing".
The RFU's written judgment from Venter's disciplinary hearing read: "The response of the Saracens management to these proceedings has been very disappointing and statements on their website criticising these proceedings do the club no credit.
"Their staff were clearly involved in some unpleasant events on 8 May which could have led to significant crowd trouble, but they have sought to lay blame elsewhere. All clubs have a responsibility to maintain the core values of the game and to ensure their staffs' conduct is exemplary.
"On this occasion Saracens should have done more to ensure better behaviour amongst their own staff and to reprimand them for their poor behaviour afterwards."
