Monday, June 19, 2006

Kewell charged for insulting ref

Harry Kewell could miss Australia's crucial Group F game against Croatia after being charged by Fifa with insulting referee Markus Merk.
The Liverpool winger was reported for swearing at the German official after the Socceroos' 2-0 defeat by Brazil. Kewell has until Tuesday to respond and the verdict will be announced before the final group game on Thursday. Australia need to beat Croatia to be certain of qualifying for the knock-out stages for the first time. Fifa communications director Markus Siegler said: "Fifa have opened disciplinary procedures against Harry Kewell. It was reported in the referee's report that he insulted the referee several times."
Merk awarded 25 free-kicks to Brazil while Australia won only nine, but Kewell later defended the referee and said his behaviour after the final whistle was in the "heat of the moment. You're frustrated, you're losing the game, every referee puts up with it," said Kewell. I mean, it's part and parcel of the game. He knows there's no harm meant by it. You go out there and play so well against the world champions and you come off losing, whereas you think you should have come off with something. He understands that, that's the way it is. It was a hard match to referee, and he did a good job."
Posted by Samvit :: 5:23 PM :: 0 comments

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