No recourse for banned Kewell

Posted June 20, 2010 20:03:00

Harry Kewell's one-match World Cup ban has been confirmed following his send-off against Ghana and there is no right of appeal.

Kewell's red card for handball in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Ghana drew an automatic one-match ban from FIFA.

Under FIFA rules, there is no right of appeal, meaning Kewell is out of the must-win clash with Serbia on Thursday morning (AEST) whether Australia likes it or not.

Kewell was livid after his send-off, which was for blocking a goalbound Jonathan Mensah shot on the goalline with his upper arm after just 25 minutes of the match.

Italian referee Roberto Rosetti had no hesitation in brandishing red and awarding a penalty, which Ghana scored to equalise.

While Kewell, several players and coach Pim Verbeek publicly said the referee had made a mistake, Football Federation Australia has no choice but to cop the ban.

"At the moment, there is no avenue for challenging a referee's decision apart from in cases of mistaken identity," FFA head of national teams John Boultbee said on Sunday.

"Here there is no option of an increased suspension, so there's nothing to argue against."

FIFA rules allow no more than a one-match ban for handling the ball and preventing a goalscoring opportunity.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/06/20/2931931.htm?site=sport§ion=football

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