INTERNATIONAL

• Switzerland's Frei suspended for spitting

  
  

  Lisbon, Portugal (Sports Network) - Switzerland's Alexander Frei will not suit up for his nation's final Group B match with France due to a 15-day provisional suspension for spitting at England's Steven Gerrard.

  UEFA's disciplinary body originally cleared Frei of all charges because television footage could not prove he was guilty. But recently the Swiss channel SF DRS has came forward with new pictures that appear to show Frei spitting at Gerrard.

  UEFA officially logged an appeal against the original ruling due to the new evidence, and their decision should come out on Monday afternoon.

  "The UEFA Appeals Body has suspended the Swiss player Alexander Frei provisionally for all competitive UEFA matches in national team competitions. This provisional suspension is for a total of 15 days and takes effect today, June 21, 2004, before the France-Switzerland match," stated a UEFA spokesperson.

  The statement came only after the Swiss Football Association, along with Frei, decided that the 24-year-old striker would not suit up for Monday's final group play match against France.

  Switzerland is doubtful to obtain a quarterfinal berth, unless they can somehow come up with a win against heavily favored France.

  06/21 11:02:42 ET