UEFA reduces ban after Mourinho's appeal

UEFA has reduced Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho's Champions League ban for criticizing officials after he appealed.

UEFA's appeal panel ruled Friday that while Mourinho's formal five-match sanction should stand, two matches instead of one should now be suspended for three years.

Mourinho, who served one match of the ban last season, will now miss Madrid's next two Champions League group-stage matches instead of three.

Mourinho had accused UEFA and its referees of a long-standing conspiracy to help rival Barcelona after his team lost 2-0 in a semifinal first-leg match in April.

He was also sent from the dugout for comments directed at match officials.