PARIS – Former Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Leonardo has won an appeal against his suspension by the French Football Federation.
On Tuesday, a French court annulled the ban, leaving Leonardo free to return to soccer.
Leonardo received a nine-month ban in May 2013 after he appeared to deliberately barge into referee Alexandre Castro following a 1-1 home draw. The suspension was later extended to June 30, 2014, after a failed appeal to the FFF.
The Brazilian had his sentence provisionally lifted by the council of state in October, and the victory in the administrative court is likely to bring a definitive end to the process — although the FFF can still appeal.
Leonardo had resigned from PSG in July.
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