BASINGSTOKE RFC have been hit with a 15-point penalty after fielding an unregistered player under a false name in their match against Guildford last month.

One member of the club’s senior playing management team has already resigned over the matter, while the rest of the management team, including head coach Will Croker, are the subject of an ongoing internal investigation.

The player, who the club have declined to name, was chosen as a replacement for the 37-31 defeat at Guildford on September 13. With his registration in doubt, the decision was taken to put the name of a different player on the official team sheet.

When senior officials became aware of what had happened, they contacted the RFU London and South East League to inform them of the offence – action that prevented the club being hit with a far more serious punishment. The club have been handed a five-point penalty for fielding an ineligible player, with a further 10-point penalty added on for the more serious offence of falsifying a match card.

In his report, the league secretary stated that the club’s swift action in dealing with the issue had been taken into account when assessing the punishment.

“In the league’s view, the actions of the club in notifying and co-operating with the league does merit some credit,” he said. “The club came forward and offered transparency on this breach of regulation and, after very careful consideration, the league has decided it can apply the maximum credit for that.”

However, the club could yet face further action from the RFU, while other clubs have a week to appeal against the level of the punishment if they feel it is too lenient.

The club’s match manager, who filled in and signed the falsified match card, has already resigned. However, senior officials are now investigating whether he acted alone or if other members of the first team management squad, which includes head coach Will Croker, were party to the deception.

Despite the investigation, Croker will be allowed to take charge of the squad for this weekend’s home game against Gosport and Fareham.

’Stoke chairman of playing John Byett said: “We have to make sure that we do the right thing. We did that morally by going straight to the league, but we have to find out the full extent of what occurred before we do anything else.

“We want to get the situation resolved in the early part of next week. We have to make sure we look after the rugby club.

“We feel that we are an honest club, and want that to continue. This is an isolated incident but we need to get to the bottom of it and make sure we come to the right decision.”

A statement issued by the club read: “This incident has left a bitter taste in the mouths of players, coaches, members and officials of Basingstoke RFC. The club hopes that through its swift and unprecedented actions, it will uphold its position of honesty, integrity and fair play.”