RFU and Saracens continue to squabble over Venter

The Rugby Football Union launched a strongly-worded attack on Saracens' initial response to the sanction, provoking another angry reply from the Guinness Premiership finalists.

Venter's conduct during the disciplinary hearing held on Tuesday was criticised by the full judgment – released yesterday – which highlighted the South African's "disdain" for the proceedings.

The RFU panel were irked by the behaviour of Venter, who ate a biscuit while being informed of his punishment, and his failure "to understand the seriousness of this case".

But a statement issued last night by Saracens chief executive Edward Griffiths declared the club would appeal.

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

"Perhaps it is time for English rugby to be run like a modern professional sport and not a rural prep school."

Venter was suspended until August 24 after being found guilty of making provocative or inappropriate gestures towards spectators during Saracens' victory over Leicester nearly two weeks ago. He will not be allowed to have any contact with his team during the Premiership final against the same club at Twickenham a week tomorrow.

In outlining the sanction imposed, the RFU's judgment read: "Witnesses spoke of his arrogant behaviour and the panel witnessed a certain disdain from Venter when he appeared at the hearing (for example by coming back to hear his sanction eating a biscuit and throwing sweet papers across the table) – and it is important that any sanction has a salutary effect so that he modifies his behaviour in future.

"If he cannot control his emotional outbursts then he is likely to come before a disciplinary panel again."

The panel cleared Venter of pushing or hitting Leicester supporter Sue Brooks, 62, during one of the exchanges with angry fans that occurred throughout the match, stating any contact was accidental.

In her testimony, Brooks claimed Venter said to her "you will die of a heart attack" but it was accepted that he instead "suggested she should calm down or she would have a heart attack".