Instead, it should come only after lesser sanctions have failed.

Many people would not understand that there is a lesser sanction that's already available.

It's a lesser sanction, in one sense, but it's a very powerful sanction when it comes to high-level officials.

"They don't want to be stuck with a lesser sanction and the appeals court affirming Judge Brinkema's ruling," he said.

Japan has also argued that lesser sanctions would help bring China aboard.

Some others among the more than two dozen federations that govern Olympic sports impose lesser sanctions or handle each case on an individual basis.

In other recent cases in which the ethics committee has urged expulsion or a lesser sanction, the House has taken up the matter within several weeks.

Subject to immediate arrest, death, imprisonment with or without hard labour, plus a list of lesser sanctions.

Rape, the sexual abuse of a child and armed robbery carry lesser sanctions.

He said he has not decided how to vote, and has not ruled out either voting for impeachment or for some lesser sanction.