Hi °C | Lo °C The man who outraged Northern Ireland fans for his part in Damien Johnson's sending-off against Austria has been cleared to play a full part in next summer's Euro 2008 finals.
Controversial defender Emmanual Pogatetz has effectively had the two-match suspension he received after being dismissed at the same time as Johnson quashed by UEFA.
The pair were shown red cards in the closing stages of Austria's 2-0 victory in October 2005 after Johnson made a rash challenge and the Austrian reacted.
The following month UEFA handed out two-match suspensions to each player and Johnson missed Northern Ireland's opening two Euro 2008 qualifiers, at home to Iceland and Spain.
With Austria hosting the tournament next summer there were no competitive games for Pogatetz to serve his ban, which meant he would be unable to play in the first two matches of the finals.
UEFA have, however, relaxed their rules and the Middlesbrough left-back will now be permitted to appear in the group games after gaining permission to serve the ban in friendlies.
And, having already missed a number of games after falling out with the national coach - with whom he has now made up - Pogatetz is now clear to play for his country again.
