Van Bommel suspension halved

FC Bayern München midfielder Mark van Bommel's suspension for the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg against AC Milan in Munich on 11 April has been lifted by UEFA's Appeals Body.

Misses first leg
However, the Dutchman will still serve a one-match ban and miss the first leg in Milan on 3 April as a result of his dismissal for a second yellow card offence in the first knockout round second-leg encounter with Real Madrid CF on 7 March.

First instance
Last week, the UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body decided, in accordance with the UEFA disciplinary regulations, to impose an additional suspended one-match ban (originally deferred for a year) handed to Van Bommel for making inappropriate gestures to supporters after scoring his side's second goal in the first leg in Madrid.

Decision annulled
This additional sanction would have meant him sitting out the second leg against Milan. However, the Appeals Body decided on Wednesday to annul this decision, and Van Bommel will now miss the first leg only. The other two disciplinary decisions imposed on Van Bommel following the game in Madrid will stand. The Control and Disciplinary Body ordered the 29-year-old to be at the disposal of UEFA to promote fair play during a youth competition this year. As well as this social and educational assignment, Van Bommel also received a €6,200 fine.