South Africa officials call up suspended player

JOHANNESBURG, Mar 15 (Reuters) South Africa today named a suspended player in their squad for an African Nations Cup qualifier in the latest in a series of public relations howlers for the country's football association.

German-based defender Bradley Carnell was booked in South Africa's last two qualifying matches and is suspended for next Saturday's Group 10 match against Chad in Ndjamena.

But the Karlsruhe left back was included in a squad of 19 named by coach Carlos Alberto Parreira in Johannesburg today.

The latest embarrassment follows a series of administrative mishaps, including failing to secure a work permit for Parreira before his arrival in South Africa that led to threats of arrest when he started work in mid-January, and an electricity blackout at their headquarters when the utilities bill was not paid.

Carnell was even left out of South Africa's last friendly international against Egypt in London in November because he would not be available for the match in Chad - a fact overlooked when the selection for the match in Chad was announced.

A SAFA spokesperson told Reuters they would ''investigate the matter'' but the Confederation of African Football in Cairo have confirmed the player is banned for one match after picking up cautions against Congo and Zambia.

Parreira named one uncapped player, striker Thembinkosi Fanteni from Ajax Cape Town, in his squad.

It will be the first official match in charge for the Brazilian, who is to coach South Africa when they host the 2010 World Cup finals.

Reuters PDS RN1931