Kewell cleared by FIFA disciplinary panel

The 27-year-old forward faced a suspension when he insulted German official Markus Merk after the final whistle of Sunday's 2-0 loss to Brazil.

It had been thought he could be forced out of the Australia's final Group F fixture in Stuttgart.

However, FIFA has cleared the Liverpool player, who admitted his actions towards the official were impulsive and out of character.

"I think I was just overheated at the moment, it was just one of those things," he was quoted as saying by Sky Sports Network.

"It is the first time I have ever done something like that. It was just a big, big game for us ... it was an overheated moment for me."