Dallas Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy has had his suspension by the NFL reduced from 10 matches down to four.

The 26-year-old was handed the ban for violating the league's personal conduct policy for his involvement in a domestic incident with his ex-girlfriend Nicole Holder.

However, Hardy appealed his ban which was heard by independent arbitrator Harold Henderson, who has decided that 10 games was a too severe punishment and has opted to reduce it by six matches.

He said in a statement: "I find that the conduct of Hardy clearly violates the letter and spirit of any version of the [personal conduct policy] since its inception, and of the NFL constitution and bylaws long before then. The egregious conduct exhibited here is indefensible in the NFL.

"However, ten games is simply too much, in my view, of an increase over prior cases without notice such as was done last year, when the 'baseline' for discipline in domestic violence or sexual assault cases was announced as a six-game suspension."

Hardy joined the Cowboys in the off-season after spending five years with the Carolina Panthers.