He won't leave because the NRL won't give him four weeks. The press is already starting to go around to Joey's side today, after lambasting his behaviour for the previous few. Whereas previous articles about the incident talked about Johns' petulance, childishness, and immaturity, take a look at the Telegraph or the Herald today and most of the numerous articles are lambasting the refereeing standard instead, talking about what Johns has done for the game, and how four weeks would be unfair.
If Johns were to leave, it would guarantee that the media would make him into a martyr and use this incident as the impetus to attack the NRL, its referees and the judiciary. It'd be a public relations disaster for the NRL, and worse, it'd only make sure that the situation they hoped to stop by checking Johns is exacerbated. Referees will be viewed with less respect, not more, because every newspaper around is going to be running stories about their blunders, or talking about how they are a 'protected species' and given more concern by the NRL than the players. Kids will empathise even more with Johns' alleged 'passion', and rather than being dissuaded from following his example will be encouraged to do so.
Johns' management knows all that. That's why they're pulling these stories about him leaving out of their collective arses. It makes it fairly clear what the NRL's choices are. They can suspend Johns, and watch him destroy them in retaliation, or they can give him a comparative slap on the wrist, thereby being seen to have been 'tough' on their petulant star, and let him play in the finals.
