The Italian soccer league's disciplinary commission has reduced England midfielder Paul Ince's four match ban to three games.

Ince was suspended on December 30th for protesting with foul language and abusive gestures after he was sent off during Inter Milan's 1-1 draw with bottom club Reggiana eight days earlier.

Inter had appealed against the severity of the ban.

In his original ruling, the Serie A sporting judge said in a report that Ince had applauded the referee mockingly after being booked, a gesture that brought him a red card and which prompted "vulgar and offensive language".

It added that Ince then repeatedly tapped his forehead with his index finger in front of another match official. He also "shouted further abuse while making an unmistakeable gesture with his hand" from the tunnel.

Ince, sent off three times this season, has already served two matches of his ban.