Ibrahim Afellay's Suspension Reduced to 2 Games: Latest Details, Reaction

Stoke City's Ibrahim Afellay has seen his three-match suspension reduced to two games after the Potters appealed following his red card against West Bromwich Albion.

Stoke confirmed the news on their official website on Wednesday.

The winger was sent off for raising his hand toward Craig Gardner's face—although the contact appeared to be fairly minimal.

As the Sentinel's Pete Smith noted, Gardner seemed to exaggerate his reaction to Afellay's slap.

BBC Sport's Tom Rostance was confused by the ruling:

However, the FA released the following statement on Twitter:

"

A claim by Stoke City that the standard punishment for the red card for Ibrahim Afellay was excessive has been upheld following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing. Afellay was sent off for violent conduct against West Bromwich Albion on 29 August 2015. His suspension has been reduced from three matches to two matches with immediate effect.

"

The statement clarified that Stoke were appealing the excessiveness of the punishment, rather than the offence itself.

Afellay will still miss two important games against Arsenal and Leicester City, but he will return to play Bournemouth on September 26—unlike team-mate Charlie Adam, who will still be banned for three matches following his sending off in the same match, as Stoke confirmed in their report.

The Dutchman will be a significant blow to the Potters' chances against the Gunners and the in-form Leicester, but his return should give his side a timely boost ahead of the potentially tricky match with the Cherries.