Meireles ban slashed on appeal

Published Dec. 28, 2012 12:00 a.m. ET

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Fenerbahce star Raul Meireles has had his 11-match ban reduced to four matches on appeal, the club have confirmed.

The former Chelsea player was hit with the suspension after being accused of spitting at the referee following his red card in the Istanbul derby with Galatasaray.

But the Turkish Football Federation's disciplinary committee ruled the Portugal international did not deliberately spit at Halis Ozkahya.

It said it was "physically impossible" for him to have spat as he berated the referee for his dismissal as he was speaking throughout the incident.

The 29-year-old midfielder will still have to serve a four-game ban because of his verbal attack on the referee.

Meireles, who joined Fener from Chelsea in the summer, had vehemently denied the accusations and vowed to prove his innocence.

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