Hiddink under fire as Koreans look for scapegoat

South Korea's Football Association yesterday rejected media reports claiming that the national coach, Guus Hiddink, might be dismissed after his side's disappointing fourth-place finish at the Gold Cup in the United States.

The performance underlined South Korea's troubles at the international level less than four months before the country will co-host the World Cup finals, along with Japan.

A Seoul newspaper, Sports Chosun, said that a 2-1 loss to lowly Canada, ranked 92nd in the world against Korea's 42nd place, in the Gold Cup third-place play-off had put the Dutchman's job in jeopardy. It also quoted an anonymous KFA official, who reportedly said: "The KFA had already decided that Hiddink's contract would not be renewed after the World Cup. But following incomprehensible results such as 5-0 losses to France and the Czech Republic, and after the Gold Cup competition, the time could be brought forward."

However, the KFA director general, Ka Sam-hyeon, said yesterday: "I don't think it's going to happen. These reports are groundless."

FIFA, WORLD football's ruling body, will consider an appeal on Thursday by Paraguay's goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert against a suspension which will stop him taking part in his country's first two games at the World Cup finals.

Chilavert, whose prowess from the penalty spot and free-kicks makes him Paraguay's most potent goal threat, was banned for four international matches after being found guilty of spitting on Brazil's Roberto Carlos last summer. He has already served two games of the suspension.

Paraguay are upset that Fifa took so long to impose the ban. Had it been immediate, after the offence in August, Chilavert would have missed four qualifying matches but would have been clear for the finals.