An English fan is threatening legal action against FIFA because Patrick Kluivert's dismissal has cost him his chance of winning first prize in a World Cup fantasy football competition.

The fan, whom FIFA did not name, has written to world soccer's governing body "in legal terms" making an official complaint and threatening civil action because the Dutch striker will miss two games, FIFA spokesman Keith Cooper said yesterday. "We have to take this semi-seriously as he is threatening action against us," Cooper said.

The English fan has told FIFA he has lost the chance of winning the £60,000 first prize as Kluivert will miss the next two Cup matches after being shown the red card when the Dutch played Belgium last Saturday.