Sydney FC defender Rhyan Grant’s three match suspension for his red card against Melbourne City has been reduced to two games following an appeal heard by Football Federation Australia’s independent disciplinary and ethics committee.

The committee took into consideration Grant’s exemplary previous disciplinary record and good character, having played close to 250 games of senior football as a defender without ever receiving a red card.

28-year old Grant said: “I’m very happy with the decision and I would like to thank everyone, in particular Peter Paradise who represented me today, for their work over the holiday period in order to hear this appeal.

“I now want to focus on staying fit for the next couple of weeks and I can’t wait to come back and be available to face Melbourne Victory on the Australia Day weekend.”

The full determination from the committee will be released by Football Federation in due course.