Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) goalkeeper Farizal Marlias could be back in action as early as next February after the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) reduced his 12-month ban to eight months.
Farizal was slapped with a one-year ban from all competitions in June for shoving match officials in the Southern Tigers' 2-1 defeat to Ceres-Negros in the AFC Cup ASEAN Zone second-leg semifinal on May 31.
But after an appeal from the 2015 AFC Cup champions, the Asian body agreed to reduce his suspension.
"The Committee confirmed the 12-month match suspension from Asian football and the $40,000 fine imposed," a statement from the AFC said.
"However, it suspended four months for a probationary period of one year. If Farizal is expelled for violent conduct in any official match during the probationary period, the suspended sanction will be automatically invoked."
"Farizal may resume participating in matches from Feb. 9, 2018."
The ban reduction will come as good news for the three-time Malaysia Super League (MSL) champions, who have won four of six matches since the Ceres' defeat.
The ever-reliable Izham Tarmizi has deputised in Farizal's absence while young Haziq Nazli has been given game time in the Malaysia Cup.
JDT owner Johor Crown Prince (TMJ) owner also refused to fault his goalkeeper for lashing out furiously after the Philippines side scored a contentious injury-time penalty awarded by Chinese referee Fu Ming.
"Farizal, I'm with you," TMJ said in the aftermath of the defeat which came soon after their exit from the Malaysia FA Cup.
Boosted by a tight defence that has conceded only four goals since that May defeat, JDT have virtually wrapped up the MSL title with an 11-point lead.
They will inch another step closer to an unprecedented fourth MSL crown with an away victory against MSL strugglers T-Team on Saturday. Other decisions on Thursday saw also the AFC reduce the punishment of Jeju United's Cho Yong-hyung from six months to three months.
Cho received the half-year sanction and a $20,000 fine for pushing the referee in the 3-0 AFC Champions League defeat to Japan's Urawa Reds on May 31.