MELBOURNE (Reuters) - World governing body FIFA are allowing players from bigger soccer nations to get away with infringements on the pitch that smaller nations' players get punished for, Australia forward Harry Kewell has said.
Kewell, who was controversially sent off in the Socceroos' 1-1 draw with Ghana at the World Cup for a handball on the goal line, said other teams were getting away with far worse at the tournament in South Africa. "What are FIFA doing about it when teams like us are getting hammered and the bigger teams don't?" Kewell told Australian media Sunday. "We've been told to play the game fair and I think we do.
"Nothing against the bigger teams but they're allowed to do it because of who and what they are."
Australia failed to make it out of the group phase at the tournament after a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Germany, in which Tim Cahill was sent off for a tackle that his opponent felt was unworthy of a red card. The Socceroos beat Serbia 2-1 in their final game, but were eliminated on goal difference.
Kewell, whose total World Cup contribution was 24 minutes against Ghana before he was sent off, added that players from the bigger teams were not getting punished for diving at the tournament.
Italy's Daniele de Rossi was pilloried by New Zealand media after his dive earned a penalty for the world champions in their 1-1 draw with the All Whites, while Kewell said a dive by Serbia's Milos Krasic in their game had also gone unpunished.
"We were told simulation should be a yellow card -- but where was the card?" Kewell added.
"I'm not having a go at him (Krasic), he tried to get a penalty for his team; but it went unpunished," he said.
Credit: Reuters
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
Latest Stories
-
‘My liquid Brazilian butt-lift went well but I regret it now I know the risks’
6 mins -
UNGA: Akufo-Addo, world leaders attend UBA America@40 cocktail event
1 hour -
Government to pilot solar-powered outboard motors at Elmina in October
1 hour -
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs facing more allegations of sexual assault
1 hour -
Prof Bokpin: Ghana Gold Coin won’t solve Cedi depreciation
1 hour -
Mahama vows to prosecute persons who will cause financial loss in new $800m gas processing contract
1 hour -
Professor Jane Opoku-Agyemang reaffirms commitment to empowering market women economically
2 hours -
President of National House of Chiefs denies allegations of supporting galamsey
2 hours -
NAPO’s nomination no guarantee how Manhyia Palace will vote – Otumfuo
2 hours -
‘When Abrantie BoG came, the cedi is now trading at GHȼ16 to a dollar’ – Mahama teases Bawumia
2 hours -
Al Fayed’s son ‘horrified’ by sexual abuse allegations
2 hours -
Agyapa Mercer unveils Ghana’s first Creative Arts Hall of Fame in Sekondi
2 hours -
Bright Simons: Bank of Ghana sweats to impress the IMF about cedi’s woes
2 hours -
Mahama accuses Sanitation Ministry of squandering $43m World Bank grant, $150m GARID funds
2 hours -
GPL 2024/25: Samartex return from Africa with sight on Vision FC
3 hours