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Roma's Rudi Garcia has ban lifted, will be on bench for AC Milan match

Rudi Garcia will take his place on the bench for Roma's Serie A tie with AC Milan on Saturday night after a two-game touchline ban was lifted on appeal.

Roma have also been successful in overturning a one-game ban for left-back Jose Holebas, who will be able to face the Rossoneri. Both sanctions could be reapplied after the case has been reassessed.

Garcia was handed a ban by the Lega Serie A after a steward at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris made a statement saying the Roma coach had tried to hit him following the Giallorossi's 1-0 win over Genoa.

Roma based their appeal on the fact the disciplinary code does not account for sanctions to be imposed based on the claims of a single person without the opportunity being given for the accused, in this case Garcia, to defend himself.

The Court of Appeal of the Italian FA (FIGC) is now to grant Garcia that right, suspending the initial sentence until a complete inquiry has been held.

"The rules seem a bit strange to me at times in Italy," said Garcia, who has previously been fined for using a mobile telephone while on the bench, at a news conference.

"They should be respected, of course, but to be condemned for two games without even having your voice heard is something that at least I've never seen before.

"But listen to me well -- the more they try to get to us, the more we are going to fight. The harder it gets, the more we will attack. As for the rest, this chapter's now closed for me. I'm not going to add anything else."

Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri also had a one-game ban overturned on appeal, allowing him to sit on the bench for his side's 3-1 win at Cagliari on Thursday night.

That win extended the Bianconeri's advantage over Roma to four points, although they have played one game more.