Bresciano free to play for Australia

Reports suggest Socceroo star Mark Bresciano has been cleared to play at the 2014 FIFA World Cup despite his appeal against a four-month ban still pending.

Reports suggest Socceroo star Mark Bresciano has been cleared to play at the 2014 FIFA World Cup despite his appeal against a four-month ban still pending.

The Herald Sun is reporting that Bresciano received the news over the weekend, in the wake of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) rejecting his application for a stay of proceedings.

Bresciano had been suspended for four months by FIFA over irregularities in his transfer from the United Arab Emirates to Qatar last year.

The world football governing body ruling that the 33-year-old's move from Al-Nasr to Al Gharafa was illegal. They also banned his current club from making any transfers for twelve months.

However while Bresciano will continue to serve his ban, which is due to expire on March 13, it's believed he's been allowed to play in friendlies for club and country.

This scenario would see the midfielder eligible to be selected for Australia's friendlies before the Brazil tournament, similar to his participation in the Socceroos 1-0 victory over Costa Rica last November.

"Mark is free to play for Australia at the World Cup if selected," FIFPro vice-president Brendan Schwab is quoted as saying. "The CAS has given careful regard to Mark's interests and in part his desire to play at the World Cup.

"It's decided that his interests are better protected by the stay not being granted and him serving his suspension, as if he were to lose the final decision in March or April then he would be suspended for the World Cup.

"In deciding to appeal, Mark had to take into account the interests of the club and the Socceroos as well as his own. And I expect that the club and Mark will continue the appeal as a matter of principle.

"Having decided that Mark won't suffer irreparable harm by not being granted the stay, the CAS did not consider the question of whether Mark is likely to succeed with his appeal at the final hearing, so this decision is not an indicator of the final outcome."

While Bresciano continues to profess his innocence in the transfer affair, it's been reported that the appeal verdict is set to be delivered in late March or April.

While the 73-capped Socceroo is intent on clearing his name, the decision will not affect his World Cup prospects as his ban, which commenced on November 16, will be complete by this stage.

The Socceroos kick-off their 2014 Brazil FIFA World Cup campaign against Chile on June 13. They will also play both 2010 finalists in the Netherlands and Spain as part of Group B.

Coach Ange Postecoglou is set to name his preliminary squad for the tournament a month prior to Australia's first match.

More news to follow.