A team spokesman said FIFA dismissed the case against Kewell following his confrontation with German referee Markus Merk immediately after Australia had lost 2-0 to champions Brazil in Munich on Sunday.

FIFA head of communications Markus Siegler said in Berlin Kewell had been cleared because of an "inconsistent report from the referee."

The Australian team, with legal input, submitted Kewell's side of the story, leaning heavily on the fact referee Merk refused to talk to Australian skipper Mark Viduka when approached during the game to explain certain decisions to him and his teammates, the team spokesman said.

Football Federation Australia (FFA) chief executive John ONeill was delighted with the disciplinary let-off and looked forward to Kewell taking his place in the Australian squad for Thursday's showdown with Croatia in Stuttgart.

"The FFA and Harry Kewell are very appreciative of FIFA's careful consideration of our submission and are pleased that no action will be taken in relation to this incident," O'Neill said in a statement.

"As Harry said himself, the incident arose in the heat of the moment and was regretted by him.

"Harry has emphasised the respect he has for referees and the need for players to show this respect.

"The team can now look forward to the Croatian match with its full complement of players and we are now fully concentrating on the match ahead."