Soccer: Kewell cleared to play Croatia

HAMBURG - Australian winger Harry Kewell avoided suspension for his team's crucial final group match against Croatia on Friday after he was accused of insulting a World Cup match official.

German referee Markus Merk has alleged that the 27-year-old insulted him several times after the final whistle of Australia's 2-0 defeat to Brazil in Group F in Munich on Monday.

Kewell was not booked, but Merk put the incident in his official report to Fifa and the matter will be dealt with by a disciplinary committee.

The Football Federation of Australia was reported by the AAP news agency as saying Kewell was cleared by the committee.

Fifa spokesman Markus Siegler confirmed the disciplinary body had the ultimate decision on the length of suspensions at the cup.

Kewell missed the Socceroos' practice session at Oehringen yesterday to undergo treatment on a nagging groin strain.

Assistant coach Graham Arnold had earlier said the Australians were seeking legal advice to help determine what to do.

"It's a concern that he may miss the Croatian game so the lawyers are looking into it," said Arnold.

"Normally you get a card and the referee normally books you on the field but that didn't happen and that's the confusion at the moment."

Arnold said Kewell's behaviour was out of character but came from frustration after Merk awarded 25 fouls against the Australians and just nine against Brazil.

"It's very unlike Harry Kewell to react like that but it was a bit of frustration, not only on his part but all the team's part, on some of the decisions," Arnold said.

"The fact that [Australia captain] Mark Viduka tried to speak to the referee but he wouldn't have a bit of it just frustrated the players even more.

"Unfortunately, Australia is still viewed as a small footballing nation and we get penalised for it."

Australian Prime Minister John Howard said Kewell should not be suspended, although he admitted he had not seen the drama.

"I know I'm not giving a very objective assessment but I'd like to see him in the team against Croatia because he's a terrific player," Howard said of Kewell.

"I thought the Socceroos were magnificent in the first half," he said.

In the "second half we obviously missed a couple of opportunities, but gee, they've done well".

* Siegler confirmed that the case against Italian midfielder Daniele De Rossi would be heard before Saturday. De Rossi was shown an instant red card for elbowing Brian McBride in the face during Italy's 1-1 draw with the United States on Sunday.

- REUTERS