Brazil striker Fred's ban halved by appeals panel

Rio de Janeiro, Aug 24 (IANS)

Fred of Brazil celebrates a scored goal during the International friendly between Brazil and England at Maracana Stadium on June 02, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/LatinContent/Getty Images)

A Rio sports tribunal has halved a four-game ban handed to Fluminense and Brazil striker Fred earlier this month.

An appeals panel Friday accepted Fred’s claim he had not intended to make contact when striking Vasco da Gama defender Jomar with an elbow July 21, reports Xinhua.

The 29-year-old former Lyon frontman served one match of the penalty before the ban was lifted pending the appeal.

He will miss Fluminense’s Campeanato Brasileiro clash against Sao Paulo Sunday but is free to return against Goias in the Copa do Brasil Wednesday.

Fluminense, the reigning Campeonato Brasileiro champions, are currently 13th in the standings with just 18 points from 15 matches.