The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Sydney

World football governing body FIFA has stepped in to prevent goalkeeper Danny Vukovic from playing at the Olympics after he hit a referee, Football Federation Australia (FFA) said Tuesday.

Vukovic was initially suspended for nine months for striking the referee in the A-League grand final in February before an independent FFA panel reduced the ban in April, allowing him to play in Beijing in August.

But FIFA on Tuesday reinstated the original punishment, saying to do otherwise would be “contrary to the spirit” of its regulations, FFA said in a statement.

FFA said it would not appeal the decision, although the player can launch a personal appeal if he wants.

Vukovic, playing for Central Coast Mariners, was red-carded for hitting referee Mark Shield in a stormy A-League grand final against Newcastle. He played in all of Australia’s 14 Olympic qualifying matches before the suspension.