Four-month ban for Townsend over betting

An independent regulatory commission hearing imposed the sanction, which has been backdated to May 23 when he voluntarily withdrew from the England Under-21 squad.

Andros Townsend

However, a statement released by the Football Association revealed that the three months of the ban have been suspended until July 1 2016. u00a0They will be automatically invoked upon a proven breach of the FA's betting rules during that period.

"Townsend, who was also fined £18,000, was charged for breaches of FA Rule E8(b) for misconduct in relation to betting, which he admitted and requested a personal hearing," read the statement.

With Townsend's ban effectively reduced to one month, he will be available for the start of the 2013-14 EPL season.