Van Nistelrooy handed UEFA ban

HOLLAND striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has been banned for two World Cup qualifiers by UEFA after insulting referee Anders Frisk after their Euro 2004 semi-final against Portugal.

UEFA said yesterday the suspension applies to Holland's first two qualifiers, at home to the Czech Republic on September 8 and in Macedonia on October 9.

Van Nistelrooy, who has until midnight on Monday to appeal, was reported to have had an argument in the tunnel after the game which the Dutch lost 2-1 to Portugal.

The striker said he believed Frisk had favoured the Portuguese.

"It's unbelievable how the referee ruled everything in favour of Portugal. He was a real home whistler. Every 50-50 situation was for them but we cannot do anything about it."