Johnson ban stands

England captain to miss clash with Wales

TWICKENHAM, England (AP) -- England captain Martin Johnson on Tuesday lost his appeal against a three-match ban for punching an opponent and will miss the Six Nations match against Wales on March 23.

If the English team hadn't found a loophole in the rules, he would have missed last Saturday's more crucial game against France. But the hearing was delayed until Tuesday when his onfield behavior was condemned by appeal hearing attorney David Pannick.

"This was a very serious offense," Pannick said. "It was a violent punch, causing injury which needed six stitches. The ball was not in play.

"Mr. Johnson was not responding to any act of provocation. Mr. Johnson held on to Mr. Russell's collar to enable him to inflict the blow to greater effect.

"It is important to eradicate violent play to protect the image of the game and to encourage young people to participate."

Although Johnson accepted he should be banned for the February 9 incident, the lock forward had sidestepped the suspension by gaining a postponement of the appeal hearing. He contended that the Rugby Football Union did not have the right to put him on trial in the first place because he had already been punished by the match referee in the form of a 10-minute spell in the sinbin.

The delay meant he played against the French but it rebounded on the English team which lost 20-15 and blew yet another Grand Slam opportunity.

The ban was imposed after the 6-foot-8 (2.03 meter) Johnson punched Saracens hooker Robbie Russell while playing for Leicester.

Referee Dave Pearson sent the England captain to the sin bin on the intervention of a touch-judge. But this was deemed by the RFU to be insufficient penalty and it was on that basis that a three-game ban was imposed. Johnson, who also misses his club's games against Bath and Gloucester, opposed the RFU's intervention.

England coach Clive Woodward said he accepted Tuesday's ruling and that Neil Back would lead the team against Wales while Johnson returns for the final Six Nations match against Italy.

 

Related information
Stories
2002 Rugby Union Six Nations Championship Index England coach Woodward defends tactics
Multimedia
Visit Video Plus for the latest audio and video
Search our site	Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day
	Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call your cable operator or DirecTV.