LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) - Croatia defender Josip Simunic has challenged his World Cup ban at sport’s highest court, and wants the FIFA sanction for leading fans in a pro-Nazi chant to be frozen during his appeal.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport says it will propose a fast-track case which “can be solved in advance of the FIFA World Cup.”
Croatia plays the opening match June 12 against host Brazil.
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FIFA ordered a 10-match ban for Simunic’s actions following a World Cup playoff victory against Iceland in Zagreb last November.
The 36-year-old player was likely to be selected for his third World Cup.
CAS says Simunic appealed Wednesday to have the ban overturned or deferred for a one-year probationary period.
FIFA must agree to a fast-track timetable for the case to be judged by June.
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