(changes dateline, updates with Llanelli refusing to pay fine)
LLANELLI, Wales, Sept. 30 (Reuter) - Bemused Llanelli officials are refusing to pay a 20,000 pounds ($32,200) fine slapped on them following their violent European Cup clash with French side Pau until the cup organisers can prove the sanction is lawful.
The fines were handed out in Dublin on Tuesday morning, European Rugby Cup (ERC) demanding that the Welsh side and Pau pay 10,000 pounds each within 21 days.
The remaining amount was suspended and payable only if either of the clubs committed a further offence before the end of the season.
But Llanelli chief executive Stuart Gallacher said later: ``I want them (the ERC) to show us something in the rules that says they can sanction us the way they have.
``We feel the sanctions are unjustified and we are certainly not going to leave it there. For a start I want to know if there are any appeals procedures.
``The regulations covering the disciplinary procedures and sanctioning in the tournament do not show anything to allow the ERC to sanction us this way.''
Gallacher added that he would wait for a response from the ERC before deciding what step to take next.
ERC chief Roger Pickering had described incidents during the September 13 clash in France as ``gratuitous violence'' and said in his opinion the violence was worse than the brawl the following day in the match between Brive and Pontypridd.
French club Brive and Wales's Pontypridd were each fined 30,000 pounds ($48,000) and warned about their future conduct.
In Tuesday's statement in Dublin, ERC said Pontypridd number eight Dale McIntosh, who was sent off during the match in Brive, had been asked to appear at their next meeting on October 14.
An appeal by Cardiff lock Tony Rees against a 90-day suspension for kicking Gareth Llewllyn of Harlequins will be heard on a date to be announced. ($ - 0.620 British Pounds)
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