British doc could face rugby cheat probe

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LONDON, Aug. 19 (UPI) -- A British doctor may face an inquiry over allegations she helped a rugby union player fake an injury, sources say.

Citing unnamed sources, The Times of London reported Wednesday that that Dr. Wendy Chapman, 46, allegedly confessed Monday at a rugby union disciplinary hearing to purposely opening and then stitching closed a scalpel wound inside the mouth of player Tom Williams, 25.

Williams, a winger for Harlequins, has admitted using a blood capsule to fake an injury during a Heineken Cup quarterfinal match against Leinster so that he could be replaced by another player at a key point in the contest, The Times said.

Chapman's alleged actions could be investigated by Britain's General Medical Council, the newspaper said, but it added the disciplinary group would tread carefully when probing unsubstantiated allegations from a confessed sports cheater.

Whether true or not, the episode has badly tarnished the reputation of rugby union in Britain, sports analysts said.