The 33-year-old was dismissed following a disciplinary inquiry held by the Professional Game Match Officials limited - the body in charge of referees - last month for "issues relating to his private business affairs".

But the Premier League confirmed this evening that Clattenburg had challenged that decision, and that an appeal panel had ruled he should be handed a less severe punishment.

He has therefore been banned for eight months from August 6, 2008 - the date of his original suspension.

A statement from the PGMO read: "Mark Clattenburg has been reminded of his responsibilities and contractual obligations as a Select Group Official, particularly in regard to full disclosure of any outside business interests.

"PGMO is confident that he has the ability to regain his position as one of English football's top officials."

Clattenburg had been due to take charge of last August's Charity Shield clash between Manchester United and Portsmouth but was replaced by Peter Walton when accusations were made that he had allegedly threatened a business associate in an email.

The north-east-based official, who ran his own electrical firm, denied all the claims made against him but reports last month suggested he had been sacked.

Clattenburg made history as the youngest post-war referee in the Football League in August 2000, at 25, and was on FIFA's elite list of officials at the age of 30.