Aussies accept Harry ban

Australia has accepted Harry Kewell's one-match ban for his red card in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Ghana

by Bren O'Brien in Johannesburg Sportal

Australia has accepted Harry Kewell's one-match ban for his red card in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Ghana, with Football Federation Australia given no form of redress despite both Kewell and coach Pim Verbeek saying the striker shouldn't have been sent off.

FIFA confirmed on Sunday that Kewell would miss Wednesday's must-win match against Serbia in Nelspruit.

"The FIFA Disciplinary Committee met this morning and confirmed the following. Australian player Harry Kewell is regarded as having breached art. 48 par. 1 b) of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC) by denying the opposite team a clear goal-scoring opportunity in the match between Ghana and Australia on 19 June 2010," a statement read.

"Harry Kewell is therefore suspended for one (1) match. The suspension shall be served in the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa match between Australia and Serbia on 23 June 2010."

FFA had looked into the options for appeal but had no avenue with FIFA and has said it accepts the decision.