Portugal coach Scolari's ban reduced to three matches

BERNE, Switzerland, Oct 4 (Reuters) Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari had his four-match ban for the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign effectively reduced to three matches following a meeting of UEFA's appeals body.

UEFA said today the ban had been changed to three months with one month suspended, allowing Scolari to resume his coaching duties one day before his team's final qualifying match against Group A rivals Finland on November 21.

Scolari received the original punishment from UEFA following what European soccer's governing body termed an ''assault'' on Serbia player Ivica Dragutinovic following Portugal's 1-1 qualifying draw at home to Serbia on September 12.

REUTERS BJR RAI1835