• SRU ordered to apologise for criticism over threat to Japan game • Scottish Rugby to ‘reflect on outcome and consider our options’

The Scottish Rugby Union has been reprimanded and fined £70,000 for comments made by the chief executive, Mark Dodson, during the World Cup.

Tensions rose during the tournament in Japan when Scotland’s pivotal group game with the hosts was put under threat by Typhoon Hagibis. With Scotland needing to win to have a chance of progression, Dodson said he did not want his side to be “collateral damage” of the fallout of the typhoon.

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But in announcing the decision of an independent disputes committee, World Rugby said Dodson’s comments, “which suggested an unfair and disorganised treatment of all teams”, merited a reprimand, a written apology and a £70,000 fine. The game in question did go ahead, and Scotland lost 28-21 to go out of the tournament.

Scottish Rugby has responded by stating “we will now reflect on this outcome and further consider our options, which may include arbitration”.

In its statement, World Rugby said it had invited the SRU to make an apology and a donation to the typhoon disaster relief fund but that the SRU had “suggested alternative wording which included a mutual expression of regret from both parties, and no apology.

“The committee determined in respect of the first charge that comments attributed to Mark Dodson amounted to misconduct and brought the game into disrepute.”

Amid the uncertainty of whether or not the fixture would be played at the Yokohama Stadium, Dodson had refused to rule out taking legal action in the event of a cancellation.

“I think our view is that we have to reflect on that matter at that time. This is a glorious, world-class sporting occasion. We don’t want to be the people that taint that. But we also don’t want to be the collateral damage of this,” Dodson, who repeatedly asked for a “commonsense approach”, said at a snap press conference when asked if action could be taken.

“And that’s why we took the legal route. It was just to say we’ve had a different opinion, two different opinions, one from the QC, that challenges that rigidity over scheduling.”

World Rugby added the fine would be donated to the Childfund Pass it Back programme on World Rugby’s instruction, assisting with the relief effort in areas affected by Typhoon Hagibis.