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Aussies ask for leniency

OFF YOU GO: Referee Marco Rodriguez issues a red card to Tim Cahill. Pic.Kai Pfaffenback. 13/06/2010. © Reuters Referee Marco Rodriguez of Mexico flashes the red card to Australia's Tim Cahill during the 2010 World Cup Group D soccer match against Germany at Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban June 13, 2010. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach (SOUTH AFRICA - Tags: SPORT SOCCER WORLD CUP)
OFF YOU GO: Referee Marco Rodriguez issues a red card to Tim Cahill. Pic.Kai Pfaffenback. 13/06/2010. © Reuters Referee Marco Rodriguez of Mexico flashes the red card to Australia's Tim Cahill during the 2010 World Cup Group D soccer match against Germany at Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban June 13, 2010. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach (SOUTH AFRICA - Tags: SPORT SOCCER WORLD CUP)

Australia has asked Fifa for leniency over Tim Cahill's red card in their match against Germany in a bid to have him back for the team's third group game against Serbia in Mpumalanga next week.

Australia has asked Fifa for leniency over Tim Cahill's red card in their match against Germany in a bid to have him back for the team's third group game against Serbia in Mpumalanga next week.

Cahill will receive an automatic one-match ban covering Saturday's game against Ghana, but Fifa can increase the penalty.

Football Federation Australia chief executive Ben Buckley said yesterday the organisation contacted the world football governing body, saying a one-match penalty is sufficient.

The document the Aussies sent includes a statement from Bastian Schweinsteiger, the German player fouled by Cahill. Schweinsteiger approached a tearful Cahill in the mixed zone after the match and told Cahill the red card was undeserved. Cahill was sent off by referee Marco Rodriguez in the 56th minute of Sunday's 4-0 loss.

"Quite rightly Tim is disappointed, but our submission to Fifa has gone in," Buckley said. "We have done a very comprehensive review of it and we are confident the submission will get a fair and reasonable hearing."

Buckley said a decision was expected from Fifa today. Coach Pim Verbeeck does not expect Fifa to extend the ban. - Sapa-AP

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