Post by Nick on Feb 12, 2004 13:16:24 GMT
Croatia have banned Liverpool's Igor Biscan from playing international football for his country for six months after he walked out on the squad last year.
The 25-year-old went AWOL from the squad before they were due to play their Euro 2004 qualifier against Bulgaria in October.
Biscan has endured a strained relationship with the Croatian FA and had been in the wilderness for two years before being brought back into the international set-up for the Bulgaria match.
After giving no explanation for his disappearance, Biscan later told them that he was not in the right frame of mind to play for his country any longer.
Croatia coach Otto Baric has been fuming at the Anfield man and says that he will no longer select him in any case.
Croatian FA president, Ante Tomas, has now said that Biscan has been banned for six months because of his antics.
"Biscan was given the highest possible penalty because he failed to respond to our request that he justify his walkout," Tomas told Vjesnik.
Because the ban starts from December 8 last year, Biscan would be able to play in the Euro 2004 finals in Portugal due to the six months expiring four days before the start of the tournament.
However, the former Dynamo Zagreb man would have to have a huge change of heart, and convince Croatian officials that he was up to it, if he is to make it to Portugal.
Source: www.skysports.com
The 25-year-old went AWOL from the squad before they were due to play their Euro 2004 qualifier against Bulgaria in October.
Biscan has endured a strained relationship with the Croatian FA and had been in the wilderness for two years before being brought back into the international set-up for the Bulgaria match.
After giving no explanation for his disappearance, Biscan later told them that he was not in the right frame of mind to play for his country any longer.
Croatia coach Otto Baric has been fuming at the Anfield man and says that he will no longer select him in any case.
Croatian FA president, Ante Tomas, has now said that Biscan has been banned for six months because of his antics.
"Biscan was given the highest possible penalty because he failed to respond to our request that he justify his walkout," Tomas told Vjesnik.
Because the ban starts from December 8 last year, Biscan would be able to play in the Euro 2004 finals in Portugal due to the six months expiring four days before the start of the tournament.
However, the former Dynamo Zagreb man would have to have a huge change of heart, and convince Croatian officials that he was up to it, if he is to make it to Portugal.
Source: www.skysports.com