Turkey goalie Volkan suspended for two games

VIENNA, June 18 (Xinhua) -- European soccer governing body Wednesday confirmed to ban Volkan Demirel for two games after the first choice goalkeeper of Turkey was red carded during their Euro2008 final Group A match against the Czech Republic.

Volkan will thus miss his side's Euro 2008 quarterfinal clash against Group B winners Croatia here on Friday, according to the suspension decision by the UEFA's disciplinary committee. He will also sit out the semifinal meeting with either Germany or Portugalif Turkey process.

The 26-year-old was sent off after knocking down Czech striker Jan Koller in the final minute of Turkey's dramatic 3-2 victory in Geneva on Sunday, which almost cost Fatih Terim's team as they had already used all three of their substitutes and had to complete the remaining match with an outfield player in the goal.

His Turkey team has also been fined 44,000 Swiss Franc (about 27,190 euros) for "the improper conduct of its supporters, players and officials" during the crucial Czech encounter, which earned Turkey a berth to the quarterfinals and ousted the Czechs.

UEFA told Xinhua via mail late on Wednesday that the Turkish FA has lodged an appeal against the two-match ban imposed on Volkan and the fine imposed on the FA. No date has been set yet for the appeal.

Rustu Recber, 35, is likely to take over in goal for the Croatian encounter if the appeal fails.