WAYNE Rooney’s Euro 2012 ban has been reduced to two matches following a successful appeal to UEFA – it means he will now be available for England’s third group match against Ukraine in the summer.

UEFA’s three-man appeals panel today reduced his original three-match ban imposed for his red card against Montenegro. The ban for the third match will be suspended for four years – and will only kick in if he is sent off in another European match.

Rooney – who has reportedly also agreed to do some coaching in the community – joined England manager Fabio Capello at the hearing at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.

Club England managing director Adrian Bevington said on Twitter: “Fair hearing at UEFA. Important Wayne Rooney and Fabio Capello in attendance. Available for Ukraine game at Euros.”

The FA also sent a team of four lawyers including a QC to UEFA to support Rooney’s appeal.

They included Adam Lewis QC, who has previous experience of chairing Rugby Football Union appeal hearings, a Swiss sports lawyer, plus the FA’s own internal solicitor James Bonnington and a representative from their external lawyers Charles Russell.

Rooney himself had admitted it was “stupid” to have kicked Miodrag Dzudovic, and the Montenegrin sent a statement on the Manchester United striker’s behalf.

The FA are thought to have pointed out that a three-match ban that affects games in the finals of a major tournament is a harsher sanction than a suspension of a similar length which would just affect matches in a qualifying tournament.