Swiss fury at Frei
Monday, June 21, 2004
Article summary
The Swiss FA has criticised striker Alexander Frei for not revealing that he spat at England midfield player Steven Gerrard.
Article body
'Intolerable behaviour'
"He did not tell us the truth and we cannot tolerate this kind of behaviour from any of our players," Zloczower told a press conference at the Estádio Cidade de Coimbra ahead of Switzerland's final Group B match against France tonight.
Case pending
Zloczower added that the SFV-ASF does not plan any immediate action against Frei because the case is still pending. "Alex Frei said to us that he didn't spit and there was no reason for us not to believe him," Zloczower said.
Provisional ban
The 24-year-old has been provisionally suspended for 15 days pending an appeal after the UEFA Appeals Body reviewed video evidence of the incident.
Evidence inconclusive
The UEFA disciplinary body decided yesterday that the evidence was not conclusive, only for the UEFA Appeals Body to lodge an appeal today after new evidence came to light.
Lisbon defence
"The [Swiss] FA lawyers defended him yesterday in Lisbon upon facts that were submitted at that moment," Zloczower said today. Zloczower added that Frei was advised by his lawyer not to speak to the public.
Frei withdrawn
The SFV-ASF had earlier decided, in agreement with the player, to pull Frei out of their squad to face France tonight. Switzerland need a victory to stand a chance of reaching the quarter-finals.
