UEFA upholds Domenech's touchline ban

France coach Raymond Domenech will watch Saturday's Euro 2008 qualifier against world champions Italy from the stands after UEFA upheld his one match touchline ban.

UEFA's appeals body ruled yesterday that the ban, handed down following comments made by Domenech in a French newspaper, would stand.

Domenech's appeal was partially upheld, however, with the appeals body lifting the 10,000 Swiss Franc ($8,251) fine originally imposed on the trainer by UEFA's control and disciplinary board.

Domenech was summoned by the disciplinary board after accusing Italy of bribing the referee of an under-21 qualifying match for the 2000 Olympics between the two countries.

Following the original hearing, UEFA said Domenech's comments to Le Parisien newspaper had brought football into disrepute.

As well as the bribery claims, Domenech used the interview to praise Italy defender Marco Materazzi for provoking Zinedine Zidane into head-butting him in last year's World Cup final.

Zidane was sent off and France lost on penalties. Domenech also told the newspaper he had doubts about the officiating of Saturday's qualifier in Milan.

France hold a two-point lead over Italy at the top of qualifying Group B, having avenged their World Cup defeat with a 3-1 win over the Italians in Paris last year.

Third-placed Scotland are a further point behind and could draw level with France on Saturday if Domenech's men slip up in Milan and the Scots win their home meeting with Lithuania.