Desailly ban cut to two matches
Friday, April 30, 2004
Article summary
Chelsea FC's Marcel Desailly has had his UEFA Champions League ban reduced from three games to two.
Article body
Return leg and final
Despite the ban being reduced, the French international will still miss the second leg against Monaco next Wednesday, as well as the final should Chelsea advance.
Video study
Desailly struck out at Monaco's Spanish striker Morientes early in the second half of Chelsea's 3-1 defeat. The incident was missed by match referee Urs Meier but subsequently studied on video by the UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body, who imposed an initial three-match suspension.
Good record
However, the Appeals Body ruled that Desailly did not commit an act of deliberate assault, which would have meant an even longer ban. Desailly's good record was also taken into account, as well as the fact that the incident happened when both players were in contention for the ball.
