Johnson banned for 35 days for `over robust' conduct

England captain Martin Johnson has been banned for 35 days after a three-hour disciplinary hearing held at Rugby Football Union headquarters at Twickenham.

Johnson's ban for violent conduct followed a citing during Leicester's Cup quarter-final clash with Saracens.

A three-man disciplinary committee found him guilty and the ban will start with immediate effect.

Last night's decision means the ban expires the day before England's Six Nations Championship opener on February 3rd when Johnson is due to lead his country against Wales at the Millennium Stadium.

Johnson declared he was disappointed with the decision as he left the Twickenham hearing which was chaired by Commodore Jeff Blackett, the chief naval judge advocate.

The Leicester skipper was backed up by the club's chief executive Peter Wheeler, who said: "We're disappointed with the severity of the decision. We have 14 days to appeal against the ban but no decision has been made."

Saracens cited the Leicester lock for alleged use of the knee on their Australian outhalf Duncan McRae during the Cup clash.

McRae was left with rib damage and is unlikely to play again before the end of January, while Saracens also lodged a protest against Johnson for an off-the-ball incident with their prop Julian White.

An RFU statement said: "The panel has decided that Martin Johnson will be suspended, with immediate effect, for a period of 35 days for reasons of foul play during the Leicester Tigers v Saracens Tetley's Bitter Cup quarter-final on December 9 2000.

"The first charge, an alleged punch on the Saracens prop Julian White, was proved. On second and third charges Martin Johnson was found guilty by the panel of kneeing and stamping the 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."

The sentence rules Johnson out of his side's Cup semi-final appointment with Harlequins plus European games against Pau and Glasgow.