UEFA relents to let Denmark play closer to Copenhagen

COPENHAGEN, July 5 (Reuters) Denmark can stage their next 2008 European Championship qualifying home matches closer to the capital after UEFA today relaxed a ruling imposed after a drunken fan attacked the referee in a qualifier against Sweden.

Denmark must now play their next qualifiers only at least 140 km away from Copenhagen. European soccer's governing body initially ordered them to be played at least 250 km away.

The Danes had argued there were no stadiums fit for internationals that met the 250-km distance requirement in the small Nordic country.

The June 2 Group F match with Sweden was abandoned in the 89th minute with the score at 3-3 in Copenhagen when the fan confronted the official after he awarded the Swedes a penalty.

In its original punishment, UEFA awarded Sweden a 3-0 win, fined the Danish FA (DBU) 100,000 Swiss francs (,840) and ordered Denmark to play their next four home qualifiers at least 250 km away from the capital, the first in an empty stadium.

UEFA today said the stadium sanction over two of the four matches would be suspended for two years. The fine has been halved to 50,000 Swiss francs.

Reuters SY DB2344