A source confirmed that Bresciano had a clause in his contract at Al-Nasr allowing him to terminate his deal if compensation was paid and its understood that a dispute over that compensation figure, believed to be $1.87million to be paid by Al-Gharafa, has led to FIFA becoming involved. The governing body banned Bresciano under article 17 of the FIFA regulations for the status of transfer of players, a murky area of player transfer laws. Contrary to initial reports emanating from a club statement, he has not been ordered to pay any fine. The suspension imposed on Bresciano will leave the creative midfielder potentially struggling for match fitness come the World Cup in June as he will have missed the bulk of the Qatar Stars League 2013-14 season. The Socceroos train at WIN Stadium on Saturday. Credit:James Brickwood Al-Gharafa have also been banned from signing players for one year. "The club announced its intention to appeal against FIFA's latest ruling to forbid the club from any player signings for a year," a club spokesman said. Al-Gharafa general secretary Jassim Al Mansouri said the issue stemmed from Bresciano's departure from Al-Nasr. "This is not a unique case; there are many precedents," he said. "We as a club are not a part of this case. As the player ended his contract with his former club before joining us, our next step will be filing an appeal to the court of arbitration for sport."

Despite receiving the lengthy ban, Bresciano will still be eligible to play in the Socceroos friendly against Costa Rica at Allianz Stadium on Tuesday. He completed a full training session on Saturday in front of a public audience and a Football Federation of Australia spokesman confirmed FIFA had cleared him to play in the first game under the tenure of new coach Ange Postecoglou. "FFA is currently studying the judgment and considering the options," an FFA spokesman said. "We will do all we can to assist Mark Bresciano and his representatives in having this issue resolved. The advice from FIFA is that the suspension does not apply to Tuesday night's match against Costa Rica. Mark is available for selection and will still continue his preparations with the squad." In hot water: Australia's Mark Bresciano could miss the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Credit:Sebastian Costanzo Bresciano is one of the three senior players linked with the Socceroos captaincy, alongside incumbent Lucas Neill and Tim Cahill. While the issue of the armband has not been a major topic of discussion among the ranks, Cahill said he was honoured just to be mentioned as a possible candidate but his focus remains on his on-field duties. Loading

"It's an honour and a privilege to captain ... I've been a captain at Everton and New York Red Bulls, so I've been there and done it but to do it for your country is pretty special. Overall it's nothing that's been in my mind. I feel if you play well for your club and your country, so long as you're a part of it, you never know what happens," Cahill said. The New York Red Bull was the last to arrive in Socceroos camp after his club commitments and says there is a noticeable difference in the energy and determination in the squad following the arrival of Postecoglou. "I just think he wants us to do everything with a purpose, for all of us to be consistent in training and really put in a great effort. Not to say we haven't before but sometimes things can become complacent," Cahill said. "I think it's something we've needed and also these young kids are keeping everyone on their toes, which is fantastic. Now it's time to deliver."