News:  Switzerland striker Alexander Frei will miss his country's World Cup qualifying game against the Republic of Ireland in September after UEFA yesterday banned the player for three games for spitting at England's Steven Gerrard in their Euro 2004 tie last month.

Frei spat at Gerrard in an off-the-ball incident during Switzerland's 3-0 defeat by England on June 17th, an incident which was not spotted the referee.

UEFA had initially cleared Frei, when pictures proved inconclusive at his first hearing, but video evidence then materialised which prompted further action.

An appeal from UEFA against their own disciplinary body's initial findings was launched, and Frei was provisionally suspended for 15 days on June 21st, ahead of the hearing which has produced yesterday's announcement.

Switzerland's final Euro 2004 group game, against France on June 21st, counts as one game of the suspension, but the forward will now be forced to sit out his country's opening two World Cup qualifying matches, as the match applies only to competitive games.

Frei will therefore sit out the game at home to the Faroe Islands on September 4th, as well as the visit of the Republic of Ireland four days later.

A UEFA statement confirmed: "Taking into account all the circumstances the appeals body considered a three-match ban appropriate."

The Swiss FA were scathing in their criticism of Frei once it was confirmed he had committed an offence against Gerrard.

Their president, Ralph Zloczower, said at the time: "He did not tell us the truth and we cannot tolerate this kind of behaviour from any of our players."

Switzerland failed to qualify from the group stages in Portugal.