DECEMBER 2000 SPORT HEADLINES

Wednesday, January 24, 2001 - Web posted at 9:23:49 AM GMT

Radebe to announce international retirement

JOHANNESBURG - South African captain Lucas Radebe has told officials he will play his last game for South Africa this weekend and then retire from international soccer to concentrate on his club career in England.

South African Football Association chief executive officer Danny Jordaan confirmed yesterday that Radebe would announce his retirement from international football after Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Burkina Faso in Rustenburg."

"He told the coach (Carlos Queiroz) that he will be retiring from international football after the game," said Jordaan.

But Jordaan said he still hoped to find a solution to Radebe's dilemma over club versus country.

The Leeds United central defender is missing his club's FA Cup fourth-round tie against Liverpool on Saturday because of his international commitments."

"Queiroz and Leeds United manager David O'Leary agreed at a meeting last year that Radebe would only be used for World Cup matches and wouldn't have to play in the Nations' Cup qualifiers but even that plan is proving troublesome," said Jordaan."

"We are going to have to come up with some alternative plan for him."

"But Jordaan said that if Radebe did not play some of South Africa's World Cup qualifiers he would not be chosen for next year's finals in Japan and South Korea if South Africa qualified."

"This is not a problem between Leeds United and South Africa nor a problem between club and country.

The real problem lies with FIFA and the Confederation of African Football who have failed to harmonise their calendar with that of Europe where the vast majority of African internationals now play their club soccer," said Jordaan.

Saturday's World Cup qualifier is one of seven that South Africa play before the end of July.

They still have three more qualifiers to play for the African Nations' Cup finals in Mali next year."

"There is no question about the patriotism of Radebe.

How can you question the patriotism of a man who has played 62 times for his country?

We understand the economic reality for a player who earns the vast majority of his money from his club," said Jordaan.

Radebe is one of five players who will be honoured at a function in Johannesburg next week for earning more than 50 caps for South Africa at full international level.

The function, on February 2, is to be attended by FIFA president Sepp Blatter.

- Nampa-Reuters

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