Venter has an uneasy relationship with the rugby authorities

Saracens chief executive Edward Griffiths has backed rugby director Brendan Venter following a bizarre post-match television interview.

After Saturday's Heineken Cup loss to Racing Metro, Venter gave pointedly non-committal answers when questioned.

Last month, he was fined almost £22,000 by European Cup organisers for critical comments he made about the competition.

"If he was less interesting, hopefully it doesn't result in a disciplinary hearing," Griffiths told BBC 5 live.

"After the last Heineken Cup game, Brendan was asked questions and gave honest answers that we believe amounted to not much more than a coach talking about the state of rugby and various issues.

"That resulted in a disciplinary hearing and a fine.

"The European Rugby Cup (ERC) want to run it this way and it is their competition and their rules.

606: DEBATE Sadly I think Sarries will struggle once he goes, but I think Venter has been great for rugby euhan01

"Their disciplinary procedures basically say if you are in any way critical of anything, whether you are right or wrong, it is a misconduct charge

"We tried to avoid another disciplinary charge and hopefully we have.

"We went to Dublin for the hearing and were hauled over the coals when teams were fined significantly less for fielding under-strength sides - I want to make sure it doesn't happen again."

An ERC spokesman said on Monday: "All games in round three of both tournaments (Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup) are being reviewed at the moment, as is customary.

"There is no comment on any specific matter relating to any one game at this point."

Venter appeared before an ERC disciplinary hearing in early November for comments he made after his side's 25-23 Cup defeat by Leinster.

He said the ERC had not prepared its referees well enough to deal with new interpretations of the breakdown area.

The South African was fined and was told to use the appropriate channels for any similar comments in future.

Late last month, he announced he was to step down from his post at Saracens and return to South Africa at the start of January, although he will remain as the club's technical director.

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