Football: Fifa rule blocks Kewell

LEEDS UNITED were yesterday dealt a blow when Fifa, the game's world governing body, ruled the club cannot field Harry Kewell in tomorrow's Premiership game against Bradford at Elland Road.

The Leeds manager, David O'Leary, believes the Australian international wing is likely to miss the Yorkshire derby anyway due to a calf injury, but had been hoping Fifa would clear Kewell to play, if fit, due to an agreement with Soccer Australia.

The Australians wanted Kewell for two friendlies against Brazil, but compromised on him playing in the first last Sunday in Sydney but not the second, on Wednesday in Melbourne. The Soccer Australia chairman, Basil Scarsella, then demanded Fifa invoke the five-day rule from the second game.