Derby County midfielder Bradley Johnson will miss the Rams’ next five matches after being handed a ban by the Football Association.







Johnson was yesterday charged with violent conduct following an incident in the first-half of Wednesday evening’s Sky Bet Championship game at Stoke City.

On-field incidents which are not seen at the time are referred by The FA to a panel of three former elite match officials. For The FA to bring a charge, the decision of the panel must be unanimous.

Johnson was already due to miss Derby’s home fixture against Swansea City tomorrow after collecting five bookings so far this season but will now also miss a further four matches.

The matter was put to an Independent Regulatory Commission, which has ruled that Johnson will also be unavailable for the upcoming games against Wigan Athletic, Nottingham Forest, Bristol City and Sheffield United.

Derby County does not expect, nor condone, any of its players to behave in the manner witnessed in the incident on Wednesday evening.

The club will be conducting its own internal disciplinary hearing in relation to the matter and as such will make no further comment.