Johnson Appeal Turned Down

Martin Johnson had his appeal against a three week ban turned down yesterday and he will now miss the international against Wales on March 23rd.

06/03/02.The saga over whether or not the RFU had the jurisdiction to suspend Martin Johnson (pictured ) ended yesterday when his appeal was turned down by David Pannick Q.C. in London yesterday. Johnson, who had been yellow carded for a punch on Saracens hooker Robbie Russell, argued that that sanction was sufficient for an act that saw Russell require six stitches to a facial wound.

The disciplinary process that ensued allowed Johnson play in the Six Nations game against Ireland and the timing of the appeal allowed him play against France.

Now however, he will have to sit out the Welsh international and Leicester’s Premiership matches against Gloucester and Bath. His Leicester colleague Neil Back will take over the captaincy for the game against Wales.