Saracens accused the English Rugby Football Union of being run like a "rural prep school" and said on Thursday they will appeal against a 14-week touchline ban issued to its director of rugby Brendan Venter.

Former South Africa centre Venter was found guilty on Tuesday of conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game for an incident involving spectators during a match against Leicester two weeks ago.

The ban means he will not be able to have direct contact with his team when it plays Leicester in the Premiership final a week on Saturday.

In an RFU statement released on Thursday, its disciplinary officer Jeff Blackett was critical of the club, saying it should have done more to ensure its staff behaved better.

Saracens chief executive Ed Griffiths reacted in a counter-statement by saying: "This kind of public attack on a leading club does the RFU no credit at all. Perhaps it's time for English rugby to be run like a modern professional sport, and not a rural prep school."

Venter was cleared of pushing a female Leicester supporter but was found guilty of making inappropriate gestures and comments to spectators.

The RFU ruling said Venter waved and blew kisses in the direction of Leicester supporters who were calling at him to sit down as he was blocking their view of the action.

The ruling said Venter made comments to the crowd which "even on his own admission had an element of sarcasm, but there is strong evidence that the Saracens coaches swore at the crowd."

Saracens was also highly critical of Blackett's judgment for apparently taking issue with Venter for eating a biscuit at his hearing.

"Blackett's judgment borders on self-parody, citing Venter eating a biscuit as alleged evidence of disdain for the process," Griffiths added. "Why did the RFU provide biscuits if they were not to be eaten?"

Venter was part of South Africa's World Cup-winning squad in 1995.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP