Van Nistelrooy banned for two World Cup matches

Netherlands striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has been banned for two World Cup qualifying matches after insulting a Swedish referee.

Netherlands striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has been banned for two World Cup qualifying matches by UEFA after insulting Swedish referee Anders Frisk after the final whistle of their Euro 2004 semi-final against Portugal.

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UEFA's disciplinary committee said on Friday the suspension applies to the Netherlands' first two qualifiers for the 2006 World Cup in Germany. He will miss the matches at home to the Czech Republic on September 8 and in Macedonia on October 9.

Van Nistelrooy, who has until midnight on Monday 5 July to appeal, was reported to have had a heated argument in the tunnel after the game which the Dutch lost 2-1 to hosts Portugal who progressed to face Greece in the final in Lisbon on Sunday.

The Dutch striker told reporters after the match that he believed Frisk had favoured the Portuguese saying:

"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."