Perpignan in Heineken quit threat

Tincu received the suspension for gouging Paul James

Perpignan have threatened to pull out of the Heineken Cup if their appeal against hooker Marius Tincu's 18-week ban for eye-gouging falls on deaf ears.

Perpignan claim there is insufficient evidence against Tincu and have labelled the punishment "grotesque".

The Romanian international was banned for an incident involving Paul James in last month's 15-9 loss at the Ospreys.

European Rugby cleared Guilhem Guirado of gouging and banned James for one match for a retaliatory punch on Tincu.

It is a shameful decision worthy of a banana-boat republic Perpignan statement

"USAP [Perpignan RFC] believe this decision is quite simply scandalous, even grotesque, and is based on no real fact since no image or injury to the Welsh player could establish that Marius Tincu could be blamed for this reprehensible act," read a Perpignan statement.

"It is a shameful decision worthy of a banana-boat republic where people get punished only on someone's say-so, without any material proof.

"USAP will use all means possible, including going in front of civil courts if necessary, to defend their player Marius Tincu and reserve the right to resort to measures which will have the heaviest consequences for the competition if the club aren't heard."

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If Perpignan's appeal fails, Tincu will be banned from playing until 10 March.

The Catalan club, who will have New Zealand fly-half Dan Carter on their books for seven months from December, are currently third in their group, level on five points with the second-placed Ospreys.

They have back-to-back matches against group leaders Leicester coming up in December, by which time Carter will have linked up with the squad.