Wasps expressed relief after escaping punishment for refusing to play their Guinness Premiership clash with Sale Sharks at Edgeley Park last month.

The London club refused to play the match on November 27 because of surface water down one channel of the pitch.

They were charged with a breach of regulations but a Premier Rugby disciplinary panel last night dismissed the charges after deciding they had not been proved.

The panel will issue a written decision setting out its reasons for dismissing the charges within 48 hours.

A statement from Wasps read: "London Wasps are delighted that the members of Premier Rugby's designated disciplinary group decided that charges had not been proven and accordingly the charges have been dismissed by the panel.

"London Wasps will make no further statement until the written decision is released within 48 hours, however the club are pleased that the matter has been resolved so that our full attention can be turned to our game against Bayonne at Adams Park on Saturday."

Wasps potentially faced a range of sanctions, including a points deduction and fine, for their refusal to play the game.

They deemed the surface to be dangerous and the match was officially postponed almost 15 minutes after the scheduled 7.45pm kick-off.

Referee David Rose was happy for the game to go ahead and spectators had taken their seats when the decision was announced, angering Sale and their fans.

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