England goalie Brown cleared for Women's World Cup

England goalkeeper Rachel Brown has been cleared to play at the 2011 Women's World Cup after UEFA ruled she should not serve a suspension for a red card received in qualifying when a Swiss opponent faked an injury.

UEFA says its disciplinary panel accepted a protest filed by the English Football Association and Brown is eligible to play in the team's next competitive match.

The 16-nation Women's World Cup kicks off June 26 in Germany.

Brown was sent off for violent conduct during last week's playoff second-leg match.

The English FA argued that the referee was fooled by Switzerland forward Ramona Bachmann pretending to be struck by Brown when the players clashed in the goal net. England won 3-2, advancing 5-2 on aggregate.