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Post by mattmightsay on Feb 19, 2004 23:28:23 GMT -5
Leeds United striker Mark Viduka will miss the trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United after the Australian Soccer Association invoked a five-day ban.
Viduka claimed a hamstring injury would have prevented him from facing Venezuela in a midweek friendly, but the ASA were unconvinced and requested that a five-day ban be imposed by FIFA.
A statement from the ASA read: "The ASA is not satisfied that Mark has sustained an injury which would have prevented him taking the field in Caracas.
"If action was not taken…it would run counter to the spirit and letter of both ASA and FIFA policy and be unfair to those players who found time in their busy schedules to represent Australia.
"It would also be unfair to those clubs which, under very difficult circumstances, released players to represent Australia against Venezuela."
After learning of the suspension, Viduka said: "I care passionately about playing for my country, retiring from the national team was never an option."
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