Uefa decides to cut Del Horno ban
Uefa has reduced Chelsea defender Asier del Horno's ban for a foul on Barcelona's Lionel Messi from three matches to one.
The 25-year-old was dismissed in the first leg of Chelsea's last-16 tie against Barcelona last Wednesday.
Del Horno accused Argentine forward Messi of "acting" to exaggerate the impact of his challenge and was backed by Blues boss Jose Mourinho.
In a statement, Chelsea said they were "pleased" by Uefa's decision.
The reduction in the ban means Del Horno can play in the quarter-finals of the Champions League if Chelsea can overturn their 2-1 deficit from the first leg.
A Chelsea statement said: "Following the sending-off of Asier Del Horno against Barcelona, Chelsea FC were asked for our observations on the incident as part of the standard Uefa disciplinary procedure.
"In that submission we made a case that the offence of violent conduct was unjustified and that an automatic three-match ban as a result would similarly be unjust.
"There was no appeal against the dismissal itself as the Uefa disciplinary procedures only allow for a retrospective decision on the basis of mistaken identity, or if there was no contact between the two players.
"After our submission, Uefa analysed video footage of the incident and made the decision that the offence did not constitute violent conduct. It was decided that a three-match ban was not applicable."
