LONDON Welsh say they are disappointed to lose their appeal against a five-point penalty and £15,000 fine.

Welsh, who play their home games at Oxford's Kassam Stadium, were punished for fielding scrum half Tyson Keats under an incorrect visa in the Aviva Premiership.

A stement from the club reads: “London Welsh RFC is extremely disappointed by the Independent Appeal Panel’s decision to uphold the five-point deduction and £15,000 fine against the club, with regard to the charge that it fielded an ineligible player, Tyson Keats, in ten Aviva Premiership matches this season.

“However, the club welcomes the Panel’s decision to remove the suspended five-point penalty imposed until the end of the 2013-14 season, and believes that this action justifies its decision to appeal.”