Ban puts Moss out of World Cup contention

Glen Moss' World Cup dream is in tatters after football's governing body Fifa handed the All Whites goalkeeper a four-match ban for swearing at the referee in last November's international against Fiji.

Moss was sent off in the match in Lautoka for allegedly telling the referee to "f... off" and Fifa has confirmed the lengthy ban.

French midfielder Zinedine Zidane was banned for three matches after headbutting Italy's Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup final.

As the match against Fiji was a World Cup qualifier, the ban applies to Cup matches only, ruling him out of the Asia-Oceania playoff in October and November.

He would also miss the first two matches of either the 2010 World Cup, or New Zealand's 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign.

NZF unsuccessfully appealed the ban.

The former Wellington Phoenix and now Melbourne Victory goalkeeper could not be reached for comment yesterday.

All Whites coach Ricki Herbert said: "It's a hard one. We've been asked not to respond on it. He was going to miss these two games [friendlies in Asia later this month] and then some at the Confederations Cup, but now they've pinned it all on the World Cup.

"He would be very disappointed, I would assume.

"Mark [Paston] and Glen are very close but we're certainly going to miss the depth of experience with Glen."

Nonetheless, Herbert yesterday included Moss in an 18-man All Whites squad for two friendlies, against Thailand in Bangkok on March 28 and a second against unconfirmed opposition on April 1. He will also be one of three keepers going to the Confederations Cup in South Africa in June.

"Just because he can't play two games at the end of the year doesn't mean he can't play at the Confederations Cup," Herbert said.

Meanwhile, Blackburn Rovers skipper Ryan Nelsen regains the captaincy, with Phoenix vice-captain Tim Brown assuming the same role with the national team.

Also in in the squad are high-profile players Chris Killen, on loan to English Championship side Norwich City from Scottish giants Celtic, and Simon Elliott, who has been trialling in the United States with the San Jose Earthquakes.

Phoenix pair Ben Sigmund and Leo Bertos are the most notable absentees. Both recently had surgery to respective hip and leg injuries. Sigmund is almost certain to miss the Confederations Cup and Bertos is likely to face a 10-week recovery.

Belgium-based utility Christian Bouckenooghe makes his first travelling squad since March 2007, while uncapped Waitakere United fullback Aaron Scott is given a chance to impress.

- © Fairfax NZ News