Frei suspended over spitting incident

Alexander Frei has been provisionally suspended by the sport's European governing body, Uefa, for 15 days pending an appeal after television footage showed the Swiss striker spitting at England's Steven Gerrard during their Euro 2004 Group B match last week.

Alexander Frei has been provisionally suspended by the sport's European governing body, Uefa, for 15 days pending an appeal after television footage showed the Swiss striker spitting at England's Steven Gerrard during their Euro 2004 Group B match last week.

Frei was pulled out of the Swiss team just hours before last night's game against France.

"The Uefa appeals body has suspended the Swiss player Alexander Frei provisionally for all competitive Uefa matches in national team competitions," Uefa said.

The Swiss federation has bowed to the wishes of Uefa and distanced itself from Frei. "The SFV [Swiss Football Association] has decided that, on the basis of the new TV pictures, it will not resist a suspension. In the remaining proceedings, Alex Frei will be represented by a lawyer," the association said in a statement. On Sunday Uefa cleared Frei because of lack of evidence. The player had strongly denied any wrongdoing. Just hours later SF DRS television in Switzerland showed Frei brushing past Gerrard and spitting at the back of his neck.