Sale Sharks have expressed disappointment at the Rugby Football Union's disciplinary judgement regarding Denny Solomona's four-week ban for verbally abusing another player, but they will not appeal the decision.
The RFU last week found the England international guilty of verbally abusing Worcester fly-half Jamie Shillcock in Sale's 58-25 win over the Premiership strugglers last month. Shillcock claimed he had twice been the target of an alleged homophobic slur made by Solomona.
Solomona contested the charge of conduct prejudicial to the interests of the union or the game, but an RFU disciplinary hearing found him guilty.
The club released a statement Tuesday via its official website: "Sale Sharks are very disappointed following yesterday's [Monday] full release of the RFU disciplinary judgement regarding Denny Solomona's four-week ban for conduct prejudicial to the interests of the union or the game.
"The club believes Denny, he is a decent and honest person and maintains that no homophobic words were exchanged during the Aviva Premiership match against Worcester Warriors on March 24th.
"The RFU disciplinary panel decided, on the balance of probability but with absolutely no other evidence, that Denny had said those words based on Jamie Shillcock's reaction only. They also did not believe that Mr Shillcock had sought out Denny after the game and apologised to him.
"After serious consideration, Sale Sharks have come to the conclusion that there are significant risks as well as legal and financial hurdles in pursuing an appeal.
"As a consequence, Sale Sharks do not believe that it is in the interests of either Denny, the club or the game of rugby union to prolong this sad affair."