SWITZERLAND striker Alexander Frei has been banned for three international matches by UEFA after being found guilty of spitting at England’s Steven Gerrard during a Euro 2004 group match.
Frei spat at Gerrard in an off-the-ball incident during Switzerland’s 3-0 defeat by England on June 17, which was not spotted by match referee Valentin Ivanov.
UEFA had initially cleared Frei of any offence, when pictures proved inconclusive at h
is first hearing, but video evidence then materialised which prompted further action.
An appeal from UEFA against their own disciplinary body’s initial findings was launched, and Frei was provisionally suspended for 15 days on June 21, ahead of the hearing which has produced Thursday’s announcement. Switzerland’s final Euro 2004 group game, against France on June 21, counts as one game of the suspension, but the forward will now be forced to sit out his country’s opening two World Cup qualifying matches, as the match applies only to competitive games.
Frei will therefore sit out the Swiss’ game at home to the Faroe Islands on September 4, as well as the visit of the Republic of Ireland four days later. A UEFA statement confirmed: "Taking into account all the circumstances the appeals body considered a three-match ban appropriate."
