SYDNEY, June 10: Football’s world governing body has ruled Australian goalkeeper Danny Vukovic out of the Beijing Olympics, overturning a decision by an independent appeals panel that would have allowed him to play despite his ban for striking a referee.

Football Federation Australia confirmed on Tuesday that FIFA had ruled Vukovic ineligible for international matches until Jan 25 next year.

Central Coast Mariner’s goalkeeper Vukovic was banned for 15 months — with six months suspended — after being sent off for striking referee Mark Shield at the end of this year’s A-League grand final loss to Newcastle in March.

FFA said in a statement: “It has a duty to prevent players who have committed a serious infringement from competing in international competitions.”—AP