Croatia’s Simunic appeals to have ban deferred

Josip Simunic (Darko Bandic/AP)

LAUSANNE, Switzerland — 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.

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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