The Socceroos have been handed a major boost ahead of their all-important World Cup qualifying match against Honduras on the 11th of November, granted a clean disciplinary slate by FIFA.
Before the ruling, any player who had received a yellow card this qualifying campaign would have been suspended for the second leg against Honduras if they were to pick up another card in the first.
FIFA’s announcement means that all past cautions will be disregarded, and the team will be given a clean slate. This essentially guarantees that all players will be eligible to play in Sydney (barring injury).
However, the news wasn’t all positive for Australia, with key players Mark Milligan and Mathew Leckie still ruled out of the first leg through the suspensions they picked up in the previous stage of qualifying.
The ruling will still come as a relief, with a host of Socceroos previously at risk of missing the second leg had they picked up a yellow card in San Pedro Sula.
Tom Rogic, Mile Jedinak, Massimo Luongo, Ryan McGowan, Jackson Irvine, Milos Degenek, Josh Risdon and Tomi Juric were all on cautions coming into the playoff, but will now be able to play freely without the threat of missing the second leg. Robbie Kruse also had a yellow card on his record but will miss the first qualifier due to injury. In some cases, the yellow card cautions dated back as far as a year ago.
Honduras were granted the same clean slate yesterday under articles 36-38 of FIFA’s Disciplinary Code.
The move created widespread confusion and anger from an Australian perspective, with most complaints claiming the ruling, which was designed to create a fair game, had done the opposite.
FFA CEO David Gallop praised the decision, saying it was a “victory for fair play.”
“We thank FIFA for considering this exceptional circumstance and making their decision,” said Gallop.
“This decision will allow both teams to field their best players, on even terms, for these extremely important play-off matches which is what all football fans want to see.”
The Socceroos’ first leg against Honduras will be played this Saturday, November 11, at 9am (AEDT) before the second leg in Sydney on Wednesday, November 15 at 8pm.
bobbym
Guest
I have real fears about this one Hon 3 Aus 1 Aus 1 Hon 1 -start planning for Qatar!
Beny Iniesta
Guest
The Socceroos have left it too late this time around. Too little too late! Better to start planning for 2022 methinks. Tim Cahill is soon to be 38! (Only guy who scores any goals!) Mile Jedinak is 33. (The Captain!) Mark Milligan is 32.(Key defender along with Jedinak!) Talk about dad's army. This team needs some youth. 3 key players with a combined age of over 100! This team will be stuffed in 2022 without an injection of some youth - clearly none of these players will be around in 2022 - will they be allowed to go on after the World Cup (If by some miracle the team actually qualifies for the World Cup that is!) into the 2019 Asian Cup and stymie the development of the younger players the team desperately needs? In fact, if they do qualify, shouldn't these players be moved on after the qualifying campaign regardless of the results so younger players can come in and get some real experience at the World Cup and really build for the future.
Brainstrust
Guest
New Zealand didn't appeal, Peru did on the basis they played more matches. FIFA cancelled New Zealands cards because Peru were cancelled. That Australia had to appeal was clear bias and discrimination. That tinpot and corrupt federations are not under scrutiny when the most improved in the FFA is under scrutiny is on a totally different level. That Sam Kerr did not get the FIFA award is a further indication that FIFA has an agenda.
Haymother
Guest
Blatter!?
Nemesis
Guest
Wrong. The "Fifa Disciplinary Code" clearly outlines the process. This is serious global sport. It's not Mickey Mouse sports that make up policy on the run. The Regulations apply to 213 nations & can be appealed to CAS. In particular refer to Article: 36: Carrying over cautions Article 37: Cancellation of cautions The FFA presented their case to FIFA's Disciplinary Committee &, after hearing all the evidence, this Committee has cancelled the Yellow Cards that had been given during the Group Stage & the Syria play-off. Nothing to do with Australia's position in Asia. Nothing to do with AFC. Nothing to do with Honduras. Just regulations that apply to 213 nations & FFA made their case.
Brainstrust
Guest
Thanks for giving everyone a clean slate well before and then leaving Australia till last. What people don;t understand is Australia is the outcast because of politics , it would have been obvious to a 2 year old this was unfair but an appeal was still needed, the endless Euro crawlers in Australia who put European nations and European clubs ahead of Australia, the resentment over Australia taking an Asian qualification spot, well Ange fixed that up its only a play off spot, the rest of Oceania resents Australia for leaving, the rest of the world are keen to gain an advantage and Australia with no allies is the one who cops it, the local Australian media are even worse. Bring back Blatter a gentleman and a diplomat who was fair to everyone and a slave to no one.
Lionheart
Guest
sounds better