David Ferguson: Bloodgate Brennan's fate a warning to cheats

It was said to me this week that we must hope we have heard the end of the 'Bloodgate' affair. I hope we have not.

Let us not pretend that players, coaches and club officials will suddenly turn all virgin white in their response to the scandal that rocked the game when Harlequins winger Tom Williams wandered hopelessly, and winking, off the pitch in the Heineken Cup semi-final with Leinster with 'blood' flowing from his mouth.

The doctor, Wendy Chapman, who felt under pressure to cut him as Leinster protested that it was a fake injury, was placed in a terrible position but is fortunate not to be struck off. This week, the physio Stephen Brennan, was not so lucky and his career in this line of work is finished. Dean Richards, the coach, should have had more than a three-year ban.

Some were shocked to hear that this was not the first time Brennan did it. Don't be. This and similar faking tricks had been occurring around world rugby, sanctioned by coaches and conducted by physios sucked in by the high-pressure world of pro sport. Others may be thanking their lucky stars it was not them in the dock.

I do not think it is widespread, and it should never be condoned, but cheating will always go on. Few may cut lips, but some coaches and players, for whom success can equal lucrative salaries, will strive to bend and break rules where they see an opportunity if they believe they can get away with it. It happened in the amateur days and the advent of money only encouraged more to try.

We have seen enough examples in other 'professional' sports recently. The only response is firm action when the guilty are caught. The loss of one's career is about as firm as it gets, but Brennan deserves little sympathy. His fate is a warning to all in rugby.