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'Foul play' England rugby captain Johnson banned for 35 days
LONDON (Reuters) -- England captain Martin Johnson was suspended for 35 days by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) disciplinary panel on Thursday for "foul play." The Leicester Tigers lock had been cited by Saracens for two incidents which occurred during their cup quarterfinal on December 9. The RFU said after the 3 1/2 hours hearing that an alleged punch on Saracens prop Julian White was proved. Johnson was also found guilty of kneeing and stamping on Saracens flyhalf Duncan McRae. The RFU said it had taken into account Johnson's "good disciplinary record" in deciding what penalty to impose. He was told: "Your position in the game is that of an icon and many people look up to you. But with this privileged position comes responsibility. "You are much admired for your commitment and robust style of play, but there is a line which must not be crossed where over-robustness becomes unacceptable." Johnson's ban takes immediate effect and means he will be available to play in England's opening Six Nations championship fixture against Wales in Cardiff on February 3. Johnson, who was accompanied to RFU headquarters at Twickenham by Leicester chief executive Peter Wheeler, said: "Obviously I am very disappointed to get a five-week ban. "We have just heard from the RFU so we are not going to give a reaction just yet. We are going to think about it for a couple of days." Wheeler said his player had 14 days to appeal but no decision had been made.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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