Minister airs prospect of World Cup no-show

CAHILL CALLS ON SOCCEROOS TO LIFT AUSSIE SPIRITS AFTER CRICKET FIASCO

AFTER sweating their way through the longest World Cup qualification route in their history, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has left open the possibility of Australia not attending June’s tournament.

The Federal Government is stepping up diplomatic action against Russia, expelling two spies after a poisoning episode in the UK earlier this month. In response to questioning yesterday, Bishop said a further escalation was yet possible.

“There are a whole range of options of further actions that could be taken. The World Cup is one of the further actions,” she said.

But in a relief for Socceroos fans, the prospect of the team not attending the tournament is remote.

What’s more likely is that the Australian Government joins the UK in a “state boycott” of the event, where no political leaders travel to Russia. British Prime Minister Theresa May has announced no ministers or royal family members will attend official events, including the opening ceremony, at the tournament.

FIFA — which is investigating Football Federation Australia over its governance you move the papers from out of the room and make the squad focus on why they are here,” Cahill, pictured left, said. “It’s a sad moment for Australian sport. We are very proud of where we come from and it’s time now to make right for sport in Australia as a whole. We can play our part in that as a team and a squad.

“I feel as a staff and a group of players we need to do what we have been doing and be professional and train hard and fulfil our expectations to the Australian public and grow our game and our sport.” structures — would expel and punish Australia should the Socceroos not attend.

It’s one of many reasons why the prospect of the Socceroos not heading to Russia is infinitesimal.

“Football Federation Aus- tralia respects the Australian Government’s responsibility to make decisions about diplomatic and international relations,” an FFA spokesman said. “We have sought clarification regarding the foreign minister’s comments.”