Soccer: Kewell facing up to possible ban

Football Federation Australia (FFA) lawyers have until later today to present their case, as star striker Harry Kewell tries to avoid a possible one-match ban for abusing German referee Markus Merk.

Merk has reported Kewell to world football's governing body FIFA after their confrontation in the wake of Australia's 2-0 defeat to Brazil yesterday morning.

Kewell marched over to Merk just seconds after the final whistle and remonstrated with the official while jabbing his finger at him.

Kewell could face a one-match ban - which would rule him out of Friday morning's crunch Group F game against Croatia - or a fine.

FIFA officials will wait until they receive the FFA's submission before deciding whether Kewell should face a disciplinary hearing. If he does, a decision on his fate will be made before the Croatia game.

Kewell was apparently angry at Merk's handling of the game, in which Brazil received 25 free kicks and Australia received only nine.

An FFA spokesman said Kewell's anger was understandable given Merk's handling of the match and midfielder Vince Grella echoed that sentiment.

"I just say that I'm behind Harry, I understand him," he said. "But at this level sometimes we can pay for what we say.

"The referee is always right, even when he's not, so you've just got to get on with it.

"Sometimes he [Merk] did make my hair stand up, and I think he was a poor communicator, to be fair.

"But that's the way it is, I think they probably would have beaten us anyway."

Assistant Socceroos coach Graham Arnold said Kewell's outburst was out of character.

"I've never seen Harry react before," he said. "It was a build-up of frustration I think over time. With some decisions ... the players felt frustrated.

"We are going through the match DVD at the moment to see what we can pull out of that.

"I can't go too far into it because the lawyers are looking at it, but it is a concern that he may not be available for the Croatia game if it goes that way."

Meanwhile striker John Aloisi said the Socceroos were lucky to hold their World Cup fate in their own hands.

Australia goes into Friday morning's game knowing that a draw will be enough to secure qualification into the last 16.

"If we get through the first round we are in the top 16, so that's our aim," Aloisi said.

"We've got every chance of doing it, we are in a good position. Before the tournament we would have loved to be in this position - now we are."

- RADIO AUSTRALIA