Leeds and Socceroos battle for Viduka

Leeds are locked in talks with the Australian Soccer Association in the hope striker Mark Viduka will not be banned from Saturday’s crucial Premier League clash at Manchester United.

It is understood Viduka did not meet up with the rest of the Australian squad in Caracas yesterday ahead of Wednesday’s friendly against Venezuela because he is suffering from a hamstring strain.

However, a row has blown up with ASA declining a written request from Leeds that Viduka be withdrawn from the squad and they are now threatening to throw the FIFA rulebook at the Elland Road club.

FIFA have confirmed they have been contacted by the ASA regarding Viduka’s release, with world soccer’s governing body having a range of powers at their disposal if they feel the player does not have a legitimate reason to miss the game.

With the ASA insisting they will enforce all FIFA regulations to ensure all players fit enough to play for the Socceroos turn up for duty, the five-day ruling could come into force.

FIFA regulations stipulate a player who does not comply with a call-up request will be suspended from playing for his club for a period of five days after the date of the game for which he had initially been selected.

This would rule Viduka out of the trip to Old Trafford at a time when Leeds need their key players available for their fight against relegation.

A statement released by the ASA today read: “ASA policy is that it expects any player selected by the national team coach for international duty to make himself available and be released by his club.

“ASA has confirmed the policy to ensure that the Socceroos have the best possible preparation, as a team, to ultimately qualify for the FIFA World Cup in Germany 2006.

“ASA will utilise FIFA regulations if required to enforce this policy.”

Viduka has only recently returned to England after spending three weeks with his seriously-ill father in Melbourne and outlined his determination to repay Leeds’ patience by helping them avoid relegation.

But Australia view the midweek friendly as a crucial step in their preparations for 2006 World Cup qualification, given the Oceania winners will face the fifth-placed South American team later next year.

“ASA and the Socceroo team are committed to ultimately achieving FIFA World Cup qualification,” the statement continued.

“The match against Venezuela is an important step in the preparation of the team to achieve this goal.

“The successful OFC qualifier will face a play-off in November 2005 against the fifth-placed CONMEBOL team, currently Venezuela.

“This match is one of the few opportunities available to experience South American conditions and opponents due to the congested 18-round CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying schedule.”

Australia have requested medical reports on Harry Kewell (Liverpool), John Aloisi (Osasuna) and Josip Skoko (Genclerbirligi) after they withdrew from the friendly.

“Blackburn Rovers have already provided a complete medical summary to ASA regarding Brett Emerton’s injury,” said the statement.

“Empoli’s Vince Grella is currently undergoing extensive medical treatment from the Socceroos staff in Caracas, in an effort to be ruled fit for the match.”