Harlequins back Tom Williams has appealed against his 12-month suspension for faking a blood injury, the European Rugby Cup confirmed on Saturday.

Williams was suspended on July 20 after a hearing into an incident during Quins' European Cup quarter-final against Leinster last season when the player used fake blood to create the appearance of a cut around his mouth in order to allow a substitute onto the field.

The club were fined 250,000 euros ($A427,000), half of which was suspended, but could yet face further punishment after the ERC revealed disciplinary officer Roger O'Connor has appealed against that sanction.

Director of rugby Dean Richards, who was cleared of individual wrongdoing, resigned earlier on Saturday in the aftermath of the ERC panel's judgment being sent to Harlequins this week.

Richards could also face further action along with medical staff Dr Wendy Chapman and physio Steph Brennan after O'Connor also appealed against the decision to dismiss charges against the trio during the initial hearings.

An ERC statement read: "Mr Williams' appeal is against the sanction only and not the decision of the committee while Harlequins have not lodged an appeal against either the decision or the sanction imposed on them by the committee.

"Details of the independent appeal committee and the date for the independent appeal hearing will be announced early next week."

The fall-out the over scandal continued with the resignation of Richards.

The 46-year-old's departure came after Harlequins were sanctioned.

Williams was found guilty of faking a blood injury so that he could be replaced in the closing minutes with his side trailing 6-5 by New Zealand kicker Nick Evans.

Harlequins, in a statement on Saturday, said they were conducting an inquiry, adding: "During the course of this process Dean Richards unreservedly tendered his resignation from his post as director of rugby.

"The board of Harlequins has accepted his resignation."

Richards and two members of the club's medical team had misconduct charges dismissed by the European Rugby Board but Williams and Quins were both found guilty of fabricating a cut to the mouth in order to allow substituted fly-half Evans to return to the field with five minutes remaining of the match.

Television cameras spotted Williams winking towards the bench with 'blood' smeared around his mouth.

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