Rooney has Euro 2012 ban reduced

In news that could affect the best odds for Euro 2012, Wayne Rooney has had his European Championship ban reduced from three games to two games after a successful appeal in Switzerland.

The Manchester United striker was banned after being sent-off during England’s final group game for Euro 2012 qualification against Montenegro back in October.

However, after an appeal, Rooney will now be back to face Ukraine in England’s final Euro 2012 group game, although he will miss the contests against France and Sweden.

As part of the reduced ban, Rooney has agreed to do one-day of community service for a UEFA based project, while the third game of the ban will be suspended for four years.

This means that the third game ban would become active again if Rooney is dismissed for violent conduct in another European Championship match.

Speaking on behalf of the Football Association regarding the reduced ban, Adrian Bevington said: “We've had a very fair hearing.”

"Wayne and Fabio are both very pleased. Wayne will head back to Manchester as a matter of priority. Wayne has always made clear that he accepted it was a red card offence.”

"We arrived with the possibility of him missing the entire group phase - it would have been a huge challenge for Fabio and the team, so to have him available for the final group march against Ukraine is clearly very positive.”

One thing this ban does do is guarantee that Fabio Capello will take Rooney to Euro 2012 next summer. There was speculation that missing the first three group games meant that the Italian was uncertain about whether to take the 26-year-old, but this is no longer an issue.

Speaking along these lines, BBC Sport pundit Mark Lawrenson said: “England will now obviously take Wayne Rooney but I always thought they would - that question was like asking Argentina would they take Lionel Messi to the World Cup in similar circumstances.”

“Rooney's presence will be a lift to Fabio Capello and the other players. If they go into that game against Ukraine needing a win or a draw to go through they can call on him.”