Ilija Petkovic's decision was described as "scandalous" by former Yugoslavia and Serbia international Dragan Stojkovic, while the Serbia and Montenegro manager stood 100% behind his decision.

The Serbian coach categorically denied any wrong-doing at a press conference in Felden, Austria, where the team's training camp is based. "It was my decision only and I will take full responsibility for it. I know this will produce various comments back home but I make my own decisions and stand by them," the Serb manager said.

Last week, striker Mirko Vucinic got a knee injury while playing at the under-21 European Championship in Portugal. Petkovic turned down criticism by saying that he has got five fit strikers, while for his son he added that "Dusan Petkovic is a versatile player who can play either in defence or midfield and I believe he can be useful in our bid to do well at the World Cup."

Dusan Petkovic has only 12 caps with the Serbian and Montenegrin national football team and has scored one goal. He was not in the squad during the World Cup 2006 Qualifying tournament.

On some Serbian fans Internet forums, the fans accuse the team's coach that he follows the path of his Croatian counterpart, Zlatko Kranjcar, who has his son Niko as one of the first choice midfielder for Croatia.

However Petkovic said that his son is not included in the 23-man squad and was only selected after Mirko Vucinic was ruled out of the World Cup by the squad's medical team.

Serbia and Montenegro had the best defensive record during the World Cup Qualifiers, conceding only 10 goals. The team will play its opening World Cup match against Holland, the next against Argentina and their final encounter is against the Ivory Coast.

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