England and Gloucester centre Mike Tindall has accused the Rugby Football Union of making him "scapegoat" following the off-field antics during the World Cup in New Zealand.
The 33-year-old was reinstated into the England elite squad yesterday following a successful appeal against the player's initial ban and £25,000 fine, which was cut to £15,000.
A statement by Tindall read: "I absolutely accept my share of responsibility for what happened in Queenstown and that I drank too much that night. It unfortunately created a level of media interest which was an unwanted distraction for myself, my teammates, Martin Johnson and his staff. I can again only apologise unreservedly for this.
"I am deeply disappointed by the way the RFU has chosen to handle the situation and I have felt throughout the disciplinary process that my case was made unnecessarily political and public by the RFU and that I ended up being made a scapegoat.
"Yesterday's decision goes some way to reflect a fairer assessment of what actually happened during the World Cup. It had been suggested that I intentionally misled people in relation to the events in Queenstown and I am pleased following this appeal process that it has been made clear that I did not do so.
"I feel somewhat vindicated by the decision to reinstate me back into the Elite Player Squad.
"It is the ultimate honour to play for your country and I am proud and privileged to have done this for over 11 years. I have always put my heart and soul into playing for England."
Meanwhile, RFU chief executive Maryn Thomas has resigned from his post today despite initially stating that he would step down on December 16.
Danielle Joynson
