FIFA hands Rooney two-match ban

BERLIN, July 8 (Reuters) England striker Wayne Rooney was banned for two competitive matches and fined 5,000 Swiss francs (4,072 dollar) by FIFA's disciplinary committee today for his dismissal in last week's World Cup quarter-final with Portugal.

FIFA also banned Argentina defender Leandro Cufre for four matches and fined him 10,000 Swiss francs for his part in the melee after their quarter-final exit on penalties to Germany.

His team mate Maxi Rodriguez was banned for two matches and fined 5,000 Swiss francs for his role in the same incident.

Cufre will miss the first four games of the Copa America in Venezuela next June, while Rodriguez will have to sit out the first two matches of the tournament.

Rooney was sent off in the 62nd minute in Gelsenkirchen last Saturday after Argentine referee Horacio Elizondo ruled he had intentionally stamped on Portugal defender Ricardo Carvalho.

Rooney will miss England's opening qualifying round matches for the Euro 2008 finals against Andorra at Old Trafford on September 2 and away in Macedonia on September 6.

REUTERS AY KP2043