A club official told au.fourfourtwo.com this afternoon that it was seeking clarification from both FIFA and the FFA over whether the youngster could play in tonight's match with the ACT Rockets.

Before FIFA intervened to ban Vukovic from Beijing, his suspension was to be served in two parts with a clear window between the end of June and August 28.

But the picture now seems rather muddled in a story that has had endless twists and turns.

Vukovic seems to believe his FIFA ban only applies to representing Australia - and the terms of the original ban still apply within the A-League.

Mariners coach Lawrie McKinna told the Canberra media he was unlikely to play Vukovic tonight and would stick with back-up keeper Andrew Redmayne.

Vukovic told the Canberra Times: "If I am able to play I'm sure there will be an uproar.

"I got sent off in the grand final and now I'll be able to play the first two games of the A-League.

"It is quite stupid how it has worked out, but if I'm given the opportunity to play I'm going to take it."

As for keeping alive the Olympic dream, he said: "If I'm cleared to play I'd like to think I would still be picked but I'm not getting my hopes up that FIFA will back down."