Court cuts World Cup inspector's soccer ban to two years

ZURICH, July 14 (Reuters) - A Swiss court reduced a ban on former Chilean soccer president and World Cup bid inspector Harold Mayne-Nicholls on Friday, clearing the way for his return to the sport this month.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said it had cut his ban from soccer-related activities to two years from three.

Mayne-Nicholls, who headed world soccer body FIFA's panel tasked with deciding 2018 and 2022 World Cup venues, was originally banned in July 2015 for seven years, on charges of seeking personal favors from a group close to Qatar's successful bid for the 2022 event.

That was later trimmed to three years and Friday's decision cut it further.⁠⁠⁠⁠