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Asians ready to blacklist Perugia over Ahn conflict

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That angered the confederation, which threatened to blacklist Perugia if the team gets rid of Ahn, meaning it would tell Asian players to stay away from the Italian club.

"I've warned all football officials in Japan, China and Korea about sending players to Perugia," confederation head Peter Velappan said Thursday. "We are really outraged that Perugia would even consider terminating the contract of a superstar. It's such bad taste.

"I hope they cool down and come to their senses."

South Korea ( news - web sites) coach Guus Hiddink also was angry.

"Do I have to tell them, 'Ahn, you are playing now but I must tell you, you must not make a goal.' If so, it's a childish reaction," he said.

The heavily favored Italians were especially bitter about their loss to the co-host, their earliest exit from the tournament since 1986.

The three-time champions blamed the loss on the officiating, upset that forward Francesco Totti got a questionable yellow card in overtime and was ejected because it was his second of the game.

There was also a penalty shot awarded to the South Koreans and a disallowed Italian goal on an offside call.

After Ahn scored, Perugia team owner Luciano Gaucci was quoted as saying he would cut the South Korean star.
"Enough! That guy will never again set foot in Perugia," Gaucci told La Gazzetta dello Sport of Milan. "I am not going to pay the salary of a guy who has been the ruin of Italian soccer."

World soccer's governing body said it would not interfere in the dispute.

"Whether he is welcome back in Italy is entirely the business of the club chairman," FIFA spokesman Keith Cooper said. "The relationship between the player and the club is entirely the business of the two parties. It has nothing to do with FIFA at this stage.

"However, a player has a right to score a goal for his country."

Ahn has received support from Europe, as well, with leading British trade union GMB writing to the European Commission ( news - web sites) and the European soccer body UEFA, urging them to intervene.

GMB, which represents players in Scotland and Northern Ireland, described the club's move as "a shocking and blatant case of unfair dismissal."

Ahn, who never made it as a regular in Perugia's starting lineup, scored five league goals in 30 appearances over two years with the club.