Sports court cuts World Cup inspector's soccer ban to two years

Qatar 2022 World Cup bid chairman Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani poses with Harold Mayne-Nicholls, head of FIFA's six-man inspection team, during the FIFA Inspection Tour for the country's bid, in Doha September 16, 2010. REUTERS/Stringer

ZURICH (Reuters) - A Swiss-based court reduced a ban on Friday on a FIFA official who checked part of Qatar's bid to host the 2022 World Cup, clearing the way for his return to soccer this month.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said it had set aside a charge that Harold Mayne-Nicholls violated world soccer body FIFA's rules forbidding offering and accepting gifts and other benefits.