Neil Taylor free to face Ireland after two-match ban for Coleman horror tackle

FIFA have levelled a two-match ban at Wales defender Neil Taylor following his red card for a leg-breaking tackle on Seamus Coleman in the World Cup qualifying tie in Dublin on March 24^th.

Taylor was deemed to have broken article 48 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code - Misconduct against opponents or persons other than match.

The Aston Villa player was found to have breached section (b) of article 48 which mandates a ban of “at least one match for serious foul play (particularly in the case of excessive or brute force).”

Coleman sustained a double leg fracture, to his tibula and fibula, in the challenge which is likely to see him sidelined for the remainder of 2017.

He will now be suspended for two games, including the automatic one-match ban sustained for a red card, and will miss Wales' Group D tie with Serbia on June 11^th and Austria on September 2^nd.

Taylor will become available again for Wales' trip to Moldova on September 5^th and he will be free to face Ireland in Cardiff on October 10^th.

Ironically, the ban will likely have the most negative effect on Ireland of all Wales' group opponents, as Serbia and Austria are the two other main contenders for the qualification spots.