Chinaza Uchendu's A-League Women championship dream is still alive after the Melbourne City striker's violent-conduct suspension was downgraded, allowing her to play in a potential grand final.
The Nigerian striker had received a four-match ban for assault on a player for lashing out at Wanderers defender Alana Cerne on March 22.
That suspension included the mandatory two-match sanction for the offence, plus an additional two games. The verdict ruled Uchendu out of City's final-round game against Newcastle, both legs of their semi-final and the grand final if they make it.
Premiers City appealed the ruling at a hearing on March 23 in a bid to reduce the sanction.
Football Australia's independent disciplinary and ethics committee, comprised of Anthony Lo Surdo SC (Chair), David Barrett and Lance Sacks, cut Uchendu's ban by one game.
"The committee, having assessed the submissions made by Football Australia and Melbourne at the hearing, determined that Uchendu must serve a suspension of three (3) matches, being the minimum sanction for the offence plus one (1) additional match," FA said in a statement.
City have the first week of finals off, then face the winners of an elimination final across a two-legged semi-final.
Uchendu, who has scored three goals this season and been a good foil for star striker Holly McNamara, would miss those two games, but now would be eligible to play in the grand final if City win through.
