Van Hooijdonk ban lifted

Feyenoord striker Pierre van Hooijdonk has won his appeal against a three-game suspension following his red card in the Dutch Cup semi-final against AFC Ajax last month.

Mixed message
Van Hooijdonk was sent off after kicking out at Jelle van Damme. Immediately after the match the Ajax player said on television that he had not been kicked but later, in a written statement to the Royal Netherlands Football Association (KNVB) disciplinary board, he said Van Hooijdonk did kick him.

Suspension lifted on appeal
Last week Van Hooijdonk was suspended for three games - with one of them provisional - but after yesterday's hearing of the KNVB's appeal committee, it was announced this morning that the suspension had been lifted. The committee argued that "what happened in the match did not justify a red card or a suspension" of Van Hooijdonk.

Champions League target
Van Hooijdonk is now free to play in the remainder of Feyenoord's league matches. The Rotterdam club are a point behind Ajax in third place in the Eredivisie, contesting a UEFA Champions League qualifying place with their old rivals.