OHRINGEN, June 20 (Xinhua) -- Australia striker Harry Kewell was Tuesday cleared by a FIFA disciplinary committee to play in the country's crucial World Cup group match with Croatia over his post-match rant at the match referee, team officials said.

   ; A team spokesman said FIFA dismissed the case against Kewell following his confrontation with German referee Markus Merk immediately after Australia had lost 2-0 to Brazil in Munich on Sunday.

    FIFA head of communications Markus Siegler said Kewell had beencleared because of an "inconsistent report from the referee."

    The Australian team, with legal help, submitted Kewell's side of the story, leaning heavily on the fact referee Merk refused to talk to Australian skipper Mark Viduka when approached during the game to explain certain decisions to him and his teammates, the team spokesman said.

    Photographs and television replays clearly showed Kewell yelling at Merk and furiously pointing his finger at him over his display.

    The Australians were furious that Merk pulled them up for 25 fouls against only nine for Brazil.

    Australia can claim a place in the last 16 at the World Cup with a draw against Croatia in Stuttgart on Thursday, provided Japan does not score a big win over Brazil in its last game. Enditem