Cahill Must Serve Ban

Qantas Socceroo midfielder Tim Cahill must serve his one-match suspension after being sent off for pulling his shirt over his head last week.

Qantas Socceroo midfielder Tim Cahill must serve his one-match suspension after being sent off for pulling his shirt over his head last week.   Cahill was given a yellow card after celebrating his first goal for his new English Premier League club Everton against Manchester City and was sent off for his second offence.   After FIFA president Sepp Blatter stepped in and criticised referee Steve Bennett for sending Cahill off, there was some hope the yellow card would be rescinded however Bennett refused to retract his ruling after reviewing the incident, believing he was following FIFA guidelines banning the removal of shirts.   Cahill, 24, will miss Everton's home game on Sunday against Middlesbrough, denying him the chance to line up against fellow Socceroos Mark Schwarzer and Mark Viduka.   The decision has angered Everton officials who believe the new rule does not demand a yellow card if the shirt is only pulled over the player's head.   A FIFA spokesman admitted there was some confusion over the new law, which needed clarification.   The rule was introduced in a bid to curb excessive celebrations that waste time and to also allow for the fact that in some cultures, the bearing of a chest can be considered offensive.