England keeper Brown cleared for Women's World Cup

England keeper Brown cleared for Women's World Cup

Published Sep. 24, 2010 12:41 p.m. ET

England goalkeeper Rachel Brown has been cleared to play at the 2011 Women's World Cup after UEFA ruled she should not serve a suspension for a red card received in qualifying when a Swiss opponent faked injury.

UEFA says its disciplinary panel accepted a protest filed by the English Football Association, and Brown is eligible to play in the team's next competitive match.

The 16-nation Women's World Cup kicks off June 26 in Germany.

Brown was sent off for violent conduct during last week's playoff second-leg match.

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The English FA argued that the referee was fooled by Switzerland forward Ramona Bachmann pretending to be struck by Brown when the players clashed in the goal net. England won 3-2, advancing 5-2 on aggregate.

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