Rooney ban reduced to two matches

Wayne Rooney’s Euro 2012 ban has been reduced to two matches following a successful appeal to UEFA and he will now be available for England’s third group match against Ukraine.

UEFA’s three-man appeals panel yesterday reduced his original three-match ban imposed for his red card against Montenegro.

A UEFA spokesman said that the ban for the third match will be suspended for four years – and will only kick in if he is sent off in another European match.

Rooney has also agreed to do some coaching in the community.

Rooney and England manager Fabio Capello attended the hearing at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, yesterday – and that may have swung the appeal, according to Club England managing director Adrian Bevington.

He said on Twitter: “Fair hearing at UEFA. Important Wayne Rooney and Fabio Capello in attendance. Available for Ukraine game at Euros.”

Bevington told reporters in Nyon: “It is a positive outcome, Wayne and Fabio are both very pleased. Wayne will now head back to Manchester, they are both very satisfied that they have had a fair hearing. Wayne always made it clear he accepted it was a red card offence and we are very pleased with the outcome.

“We arrived with the possibility of Wayne Rooney missing the entire group phase so to have him available for the final group game is a positive result for us and Rooney.”