Johnson survives as RFU finds way out

It was hard to escape the conclusion that the whole exercise had been a waste of time. Johnson failed to get a reduction on a sentence which had already been reduced twice by one RFU tribunal last week.

A different panel decided last night that the verdict was absolutely right which at least spared the RFU's credibility from taking another bash.

In appealing on their player's behalf, Leicester had run the risk of the RFU invoking the rule which states that a suspension goes into temporary suspension pending an appeal.

The tribunal considered the rule, then decided to brush it aside on the grounds that Johnson had appealed against two of the three sentences which, it argued, meant that his suspension had not been interrupted.

The RFU said it could find 'no fault with the reasoning of the original disciplinary panel and refused the appeal. The suspension will run as originally ruled from December 28 to February 1.'

Former England captain John Spencer, chairing the three-man tribunal, said: 'We did not think an increase was appropriate. One has to take into account Martin's disciplinary record which is extremely good when you consider the time he has been at the top: 58 England caps, two Lions tours, two World Cups. He has been in a very high-pressure situation for a long time.'

Others will no doubt cite his various indiscretions in recent years when he has sailed perilously close to the wind, never more so than when appearing to stamp on Scotland centre John Leslie during the Calcutta Cup match at Twickenham two seasons ago when he escaped with a yellow card.

The latest case involved three charges of foul play which carried a maximum sentences amounting to 13 weeks, three for punching, four kneeing and six for stamping.

Instead, the original tribunal reduced the total to nine weeks, basing its reduction on all three sentences on the premise that they took place in the context of a violent match.

The tribunal then decreed that the suspensions be served concurrently, further reducing the period to five weeks, the length of time imposed for the most serious offence, that of stamping on Saracens fly half Duncan McRae.

The verdict, as articulated by the chairman, Commodore Jeff Blackett, the Royal Navy's chief judge advocate, was: 'The video clearly shows Martin lift his leg leg and place it on the ground. He then deliberately picked up the same foot, looked down and stamped downwards.

'The panel has no doubt, therefore, that he stamped deliberately. There is no direct evidence from the video to show where the stamping foot landed. Were this a criminal trial it would be unsafe to conclude that the charge was proved beyond reasonable doubt.

'However, in all the circumstances the panel is satisfied on the balance of probabilities that Martin's foot hit Duncan McRae.'

Johnson was at least able to find a silver lining last night. 'It gives me four to five weeks quality training to prepare for the Welsh game,'' he said.