Australia's International Rules co-captain Chris Johnson has been suspended for the next five clashes against Ireland after pleading guilty to striking Philip Jordan and Mattie Forde during the second Test at Telstra Dome last month.
Despite a heartfelt apology by the Brisbane Lions defender, Johnson won't be eligible to play against Ireland again until the second test of the 2008 series.
The tribunal hearing took place via a telephone link-up featuring officials from the AFL and the GAA this morning.
"You don't know how disappointed I am in myself at what happened," said Johnson in a statement released by the Lions.
"To Philip Jordan and Mattie Forde, I apologise sincerely to you guys. I'd like to say to them that I can't believe it was me doing those things - it's not the way that I play the game."
"I really would love to have the chance to play against them again and prove to them that it was an isolated, temporary lapse, and not one of my character traits."
At the same time as the Tribunal reached its verdict, the committee that governs the playing conditions of the International Rules series announced a new rule to take effect when a player receives a red card and is sent off for the remainder of the game.
From next year, the opposing team will be awarded a penalty kick immediately after the incident, regardless of where the sending off incident takes place on the field. In addition, the team whose player was sent off will not be able to bring on a replacement player on for another 20 minutes.
