English rugby union club Saracens will take no action against academy player Totoa Auvaa after the ECB accused him of launching "unprovoked attacks" on Gus Atkinson in the nightclub incident that has cast a long shadow over England's Test team.
Auvaa, who is yet to play for Saracens' first team but has captained Samoa at youth level, was involved in an altercation with Atkinson at the Rex Rooms nightclub in Chelsea on the night of June 7 and is alleged to have landed a punch on an England security guard, who required medical attention.
The incident resulted in both Atkinson and Ben Stokes - who was also at the nightclub, celebrating England's 115-run win at Lord's - being left out of England's squad for their second Test against New Zealand at The Oval, pending investigations by the ECB and the Cricket Regulator into their behaviour, which concluded late last week.
The ECB said in a statement on Sunday that "no blame should be attached" to Atkinson or Stokes for the "violent conduct at the nightclub". It added: "Stokes was not involved in the altercation and did not witness either incident. The evidence the ECB has seen demonstrates that Atkinson was the victim of unprovoked attacks and did not retaliate."
Both players were handed written warnings after they were found to have breached the obligations of their England contracts after the ECB's internal investigation, while the independent Cricket Regulator said on Monday that there was "insufficient evidence to establish that any regulatory breach occurred".
The ECB expedited its disciplinary process to resolve the matter as quickly as possible and Saracens appeared to criticise its handling of the situation in a statement to the Guardian on Thursday, while confirming that the club would take "no further action" against Auvaa.
"Saracens Rugby Club has concluded its review of the incident involving one of its Academy players and England cricketers," a club spokesperson said. "Saracens is satisfied that its independent review was conducted thoroughly and in accordance with the club's internal procedures and standards.
"The ECB contacted the club as part of its review process. Saracens made clear that it wished to complete its own internal investigation before reaching any conclusions. The ECB subsequently concluded its process and issued its statement without any input from Saracens.
"Whilst the events that occurred in the early hours of Monday 8 June are regrettable for all parties involved, the club remains supportive of the player concerned. Having thoroughly reviewed the matter, the club has concluded that no further action is required and now considers the matter closed."
The ECB declined to comment when contacted by Cricinfo.