ASA agonises over Viduka ban
The Australian Soccer Association is to hold a further meeting today to discuss whether to invoke the five-day rule against Leeds striker Mark Viduka.
The dispute surrounding Viduka's failure to arrive in Caracas at the weekend for Australia's friendly with Venezuela has yet to be resolved.
Leeds informed the ASA last Thursday that Viduka would not be reporting for duty after he sustained a hamstring strain in the 4-1 Barclaycard Premiership victory over Wolves two days previously.
Viduka's personal circumstances have also been cited, because he returned to Elland Road only recently after spending three weeks at the bedside of his seriously ill father.
But a written request from Leeds that Viduka be withdrawn from the squad was declined by the ASA, who have done likewise with Basle midfielder Scott Chipperfield despite the fact his wife had a baby at the weekend.
Upon the ASA's request, FIFA could be asked to enforce the five-day rule which would result in Viduka missing Saturday's league match against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
However, the ASA were unable to reach a conclusion in a board meeting held on Wednesday and are to convene again at a similar time today.
Viduka's representative, Chris Page of the Insite Organisation, said: "Internal talks are still ongoing between Mark, Leeds and the ASA. A decision has not yet been reached."
It has been claimed that if Viduka is banned he could turn his back on the Socceroos, such is his frustration regarding this latest furore.
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