Scotland's Steven Naismith gets 2-match World Cup ban

FIFA has banned Scotland forward Steven Naismith for two World Cup qualifying matches after television pictures showed he used his elbow to strike a Serbian opponent.

The Scottish Football Association says Naismith will miss Scotland's away matches against Wales in Cardiff next Friday, and against Belgium in Brussels on October. 16.

FIFA's disciplinary code calls for suspensions of "at least two matches for assaulting an opponent."

FIFA charged Naismith after match officials did not spot the offense against Srdan Mijailovic during Scotland's 0-0 draw at home to Serbia on September. 8.