The Football Association have defended themselves against Kenny Dalglish's accusation of double standards after Wayne Rooney successfully appealed against his three-match Euro 2012 ban.

Rooney's punishment for lashing out at Montenegro's Miodrag Dzudovic in October has been reduced to a two-game suspension, with an additional match suspended for four years, a period that only covers England games in UEFA competitions.

Result: Wayne Rooney leaves UEFA headquarters in Nyon after his appeal

It is a crucial amendment because it means any remaining doubt over the 26-year-old's likely selection for Euro 2012 next summer has been removed as he is free to play in England's final Group D match, against hosts Ukraine, which manager Fabio Capello has already admitted is likely to be critical to his side's chances of progress.

The FA sent a team of four lawyers to argue Rooney's case, the player travelling direct from Basle, where Manchester United exited the Champions League, to provide his own evidence, as did Capello.

However, the appeal has not gone down well with Dalglish, the Liverpool boss, whose striker Luis Suarez, already the subject of a racism probe following an altercation with Manchester United defender Patrice Evra at Anfield in October, was this week charged with making an offensive gesture as he left the field after Monday night's 1-0 defeat at Fulham.

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