Kewell may suffer Croatia ban

Harry Kewell could miss Australia's final group match after being charged by Fifa with insulting referee Markus Merk following the 2-0 defeat by Brazil.

The Liverpool winger has been reported for swearing at the German official several times after the final whistle and disciplinary proceedings have begun. A decision will be announced before Australia's last game of Group F against Croatia, in Stuttgart, on Thursday.

Kewell could miss Thursday's match and be available for the second round. Under Fifa regulations players who collected one yellow card in the group stages will start the knock-out stages with a clean slate. Players who incur a second yellow card during the third group match will be suspended for the second round. Players dismissed in their final group match may have to serve a longer suspension depending on the offence.

A Fifa disciplinary committee is still studying the USA v Italy match in which there were three red cards. Italy's Daniele de Rossi and the USA's Pablo Mastroeni and Eddie Pope will all miss at least one match and a decision on whether they will receive extra suspension will be announced before 23 June. Roma midfielder de Rossi in particular is in danger of being given a further ban after elbowing Brian McBride in the face during the 1-1 draw, leaving the Fulham striker dripping blood.

Fifa has no plans to reverse a yellow card which rules Ghana striker Asa-moah Gyan out of Thursday's crucial World Cup match with the USA. Gyan received the card for taking a penalty too early in the 2-0 win over the Czech Republic on Saturday.