Case Against Kuffour Postponed

Ghana international Samuel Osei Kuffour, accused of attempting to assault a referee in a World Cup qualifier, has had his case postponed by soccer's world governing body FIFA.

FIFA said on Wednesday that its disciplinary committee had heard charges against the Bayern Munich defender last week but needed more information.

"Further information is needed and the case will be examined at the next meeting," a FIFA spokesman said. No date has yet been set for the next disciplinary committee hearing. Osei Kuffour, who played in Bayern's 1-0 semifinal first leg success at Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday night, is alleged to have attempted to attack Ethiopian referee Hailemalak Tessema at the end of a World Cup qualifier in Omdurman in February in wich Ghana lost 0-2 to Sudan. He had to be restrained by Sudanese security personnel and is alleged to have smashed a fluorescent light in the tunnel leading to the dressing-room.

Osei Kuffour was angry that the referee had ended the game sooner than the Ghanaian had expected.

The delay in the hearing has enabled Osei Kuffour to avoid possible suspension.

He would be eligible to play for Ghana in the World Cup qualifying campaign but has missed their recent matches and will not play for them this weekend when they travel to Sierra Leone. He has not been called up because of his club commitments in the German first division and the return leg of the Champions League semifinal against Real in Munich.

Ghana's World Cup chances evaporated with the defeat in Sudan and only domestic-based players were used in the team's last two matches.