Scots seek "clarification" from FIFA

SCOTLAND'S football authorities turned to diplomatic action rather than all out war with FIFA yesterday following the governing body's decision to order last month's World Cup non tie against Estonia to be replayed.

Clearly unhappy about a judgment from the organising committee which also ruled their captain, Gary McAllister, out of Sunday's match against Sweden at Ibrox, the main thrust of the Scots' displeasure will be directed at a possible scandal involving Lennart Johansson, the Swedish president of UEFA.

Immediately upon receiving the faxed notice of yesterday's outcome, the Scottish FA sought clarification on several points, including Johansson's role in the proceedings. The chairman of the organising committee, Guillermo Canado of Mexico, was unable to be in Zurich because of illness. His vice chairman is Johansson, who is a former president of the Swedish FA.

If it is found that Johansson, who had, prior to yesterday's meeting, stated publicly his opinion that the match should be replayed, participated in the deliberations and the verdict - especially in the case of McAllister - the Scottish FA will take the matter further.

Jim Farry, the SFA's chief executive, couched the Scots' reaction in typically euphemistic terms, but his dissatisfaction was unmistakable.

FIFA ordered that the game - for which the Estonians did not turn up at the appointed, if rearranged, hour at the Kadriorg Stadium in Tall inn on October 9th must be played off, "preferably in Estonia", before March 16th.

They also confirmed that McAllister, who was due to be suspended for that match - he had received a yellow card in each of the Scots' previous ties against Austria and Latvia - would now be banned from Scotland's next scheduled game, i.e., against Sweden on Sunday.

The Scots felt that, as the abandonment of the original match was not their fault, it is specifically the meeting with Estonia - whenever it is played - that McAllister should miss.

"This is one of the points on which we are seeking clarification," said Farry who expects to hear from FIFA today.

Asked by a Swedish journalist how he felt about Johansson's pronouncement in the last few weeks - that the Estonia match should be replayed - Farry offered an oblique, but unmissable, criticism. "Everybody knows that football is a game of opinions," he said.

"Some of us have opinions but, because of our position, we cannot voice them. There will be a time for reflection in this case when it may be determined whether that ethic of responsibility has been followed by certain individuals."