German`s taped comment could help Cahill

The power of the press - and a just-as-powerful digital voice recorder - loom as
vital to salvaging Socceroos' star Tim Cahill's World Cup.
FIFA's judicial committee is expected to decide on Thursday whether Cahill will
receive a one or two-match ban following his send-off for fouling German midfielder
Bastian Schweinsteiger.
But Cahill's fate could depend on post-match comments made to the Australian by
Schweinsteiger and caught on tape by Australian Associated Press, the national news
agency.
As AAP senior correspondent Doug Conway was interviewing Cahill, Schweinsteiger went
past and sought out the Everton midfielder, saying: "It wasn't a red card".
Conway picked up the exchange clearly on his digital recorder and has been asked by
Socceroos officials to provide a written submission to FIFA, along with a recording
of what Schweinsteiger said.
That will be used in part to fight Cahill's case to avoid a possible two-match ban,
which FIFA's disciplinary committee can impose should they deem the challenge
sufficiently bad.
A one-match suspension ruling him out of the Ghana match on Saturday appears the
more likely result.
But Cahill's importance if the final group match against Serbia remains live, and
some damning lines in Mexican referee Marco Gonzalez's post-match report, mean the
Socceroos camp is taking no chances.
"The referee has reported that, in an attempt to win the ball, the player used
excessive force in tackling an opponent from behind, thereby causing danger," a
Football Federation Australia (FFA) spokesman said.
"As it was a direct red card and not two yellow cards, additional disciplinary
sanctions may be imposed on the player - additional suspension, fine, etc.
"FFA has been requested to submit any comments or evidence in connection with this
incident.
"The FFA is preparing a case which includes video evidence, a statement by Tim
Cahill and others, and legal submissions, directed towards showing that the incident
involved was not one which used excessive force, caused danger or led to injury.
"It will also rely on Tim Cahill's good record, and his lack of intention to cause
harm or injury."
As the Socceroos were given a day off on Tuesday to lick their wounds following
their mauling by Germany, calls are growing to start Harry Kewell for the crucial
clash with Ghana.
While Kewell could well be used in the lone striker's role Pim Verbeek believes he
is suited to, the 31-year-old could also find himself deployed in the midfield
"hole" created by Cahill's absence.
That could mean starting roles for both him and striker Josh Kennedy, also ignored
for the 4-0 defeat by Germany.